A Tinubu Magistrates’
Court in Lagos on Tuesday dismissed a car theft charge filed by the police
against hip hop artist, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, his two
brothers and their cousin.
Chief Magistrate
Tajudeen Elias made the order after receiving a letter from the police
disclosing their intention to withdraw the case.
Marley, who was
absent, was said to be in the United States “for medicals”.
Marley, his two
brothers: Idris Fashola, 18; Babatunde Fashola, 24; and their cousin, Kunle
Obere, 22, were standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing,
assault and obstructing the police from arresting Marley.
They were arraigned by
the Police on December 16, but Marley, the fourth defendant, was absent.
The court granted the
trio N500,000 bail each with two sureties in the like sum.
Chief Magistrate Elias
ordered the Investigative Police Officer (IPO) to produce Marley in court on
December 31, 2019 so he could take his plea.
Following his failure
to honour the court date and pleas for another chance by his counsel, Mr
Awokulehin Ayodeji, the court threatened to order the artiste’s arrest if he
didn’t show up yesterday (January 14).
At the commencement of
proceedings yesterday, only Marley’s brothers and cousin were present.
Prosecuting Assistant
Superintendent of Police (ASP) Edet Okoi told the court that Marley and the
three other defendants had reached an out of court settlement with the
complainant, Mr Adelekan Ademola.
Okoi tendered a letter
bearing the agreement to Mr Elias.
The defendants’
counsel Mr Awokulehin Ayodeji confirmed that a deal had been reached.
Chief Magistrate Elias
also confirmed the agreement from Mr Ademola, and who was present.
He said: “In view of
the letter of withdrawal, the defendants are hereby discharged.”
Afterwards, Marley’s
lawyer told newsmen why Marley was absent.
Awokuleyin said: “As
we speak, he is not even in the country. He is abroad for medicals. But the
most important thing is that the charge has been withdrawn and consequentially,
the matter is dead.
He is in the United
States.”
The lawyer declined to
state the terms of the agreement.
The complainant in the
case, Mr Ademola revealed that his car had been repaired and the items taken
from him returned by the defendants.
He also explained the
reason for the prosecution.
Ademola said: “Nobody
is above the law. You don’t take the law in your hands. That’s the reason.
He said he was not
coerced into settling the case.
In the dismissed
charge, the police claimed that Marley’s brothers and cousins, while in a
motorcade with Marley, stole a Toyota Camry vehicle with Registration No. FEE 120
AA valued at N1.8 million and an IPhone X5 worth N330,000 belonging to Mr
Ademola.
The court heard that
the three defendants and others at large assaulted the complainant by beating
him up.
