A Lagos chief magistrates’ court has ordered for the arrest and arraignment of Azeez Fashola, Nigerian musician better known as Naira Marley, over car theft allegations.
Tajudeen Elias, the court magistrate, on Monday, ordered that Sunday Idoko, the investigating police officer (IPO) handling the case, must present Marley before the court on December 21.
Idris Fashola and Babatunde Fashola, Marley’s brothers, and Kunle Obere, his cousin, appeared in court over car and cellphone theft allegations.
The three defendants are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, assault and obstructing the arrest of Marley.
Elias granted them a 500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum. He ordered the IPO to produce the singer before December 21, when the case would be listed for further hearing.
Edet Okoi, the prosecutor, had told the court that the three defendants committed the offenses on December 16, at the Eko Hotel roundabout in Victoria Island, Lagos.
He added that the defendants, who were in a motorcade with Marley, stole a Toyota Camry vehicle with registration number, ‘FEE 120 AA’. The cars are valued at N1.8 million. An iPhone XS worth N330,000 belonging to one Adelekan Ademola went missing in the squirmish.
He also said the trio and others at large assaulted the complaint by beating him up.
Here’s his statement
“One of the vehicles in the musician’s motorcade hit the complainant’s vehicle from the back. Meanwhile, he was throwing out money from his vehicle to his fans.”
He said, “When the complainant came down from the vehicle to inspect the damage, Obere entered into the complainant’s Camry and drove it off with the motorcade.
“Ademola reported to the police. Then they tracked the vehicle to where it was; Jakande Crescent, Oniru in Lagos. When the police arrived at the location with the complainant, Naira Marley and his boys started beating the complainant.”
Okoi alleged that the defendants and others at large obstructed the police while performing their lawful duty. They allegedly prevented them from arresting Naira Marley.
“A group of boys obstructed the police from arresting the musician. But they were able to apprehend the three defendants,” he added.
