Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, issued a production warrant against singer Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley.
A production warrant is said to be a warrant issued when a trial judge needs an accused, who is already in custody of the government. The trial judge issues it on the authority with whom the accused person is under custody of, to produce him or her before the court.
This was disclosed in a statement posted on the official X handle of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission on Friday.
The statement read, “Naira Marley is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on 11-count charges bordering on conspiracy and credit card fraud.”
According to the statement, at the resumed sitting on Friday, the counsel to the defendant, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, informed the court that the defendant was unavoidably absent from court owing to his being detained by the Police for interrogation in respect of the murder of Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad, and therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment of the trial.
The prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, however, prayed the court to issue a production warrant against the defendant to ensure his presence in court on the next adjourned date.
Justice Oweibo granted the prayers of the prosecution counsel and issued a production warrant against the defendant.
The judge further adjourned the matter till October 30, 2023 for continuation of trial.
Credit: X| officialEFCC