Court adjourns Naira Marley’s trial over witness absence

<p>Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi has moved the trial of Azeez Fashola a.k.a. Naira Marley till February.</p>, <p>The music star is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an 11-count charge of conspiracy and credit card fraud.</p>, <p>Naira Marley pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when he was arraigned on May 20, 2019.</p>, <p>In October 27, 2021, Augustine Anosike, the second prosecution witness (PW2), concluded his examination-in-chief.</p>, <p>The forensic analyst made revelations about several from the artiste.</p>, <p>The court adjourned till November 30, 2021 for cross-examination but the witness was not available.</p>, <p>Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, said the witness was absent on “compassionate grounds”.</p>, <p>“I got information at about 9.30am while still in the parking lot of the court this morning,” he explained.</p>, <p>Defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) lamented the delay, saying the prosecution ought to have given sufficient notice.</p>, <p>Justice Oweibo adjourned the continuation of trial until February 16 and 17, 2022.</p>