Alleged credit card fraud: I’m not guilty, Naira Marley tells court

Nigerian musician, Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley, on Monday pleaded not guilty to an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, possession of counterfeit credit cards and fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charged the musician before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Also mentioned in the charge is one Yad Isril, who is said to be at large.

Following the not guilty plea, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, requested the court to give a date for commencement of the musician’s trial.

Meanwhile, defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), informed the court that he filed a bail application on behalf of the defendant.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo adjourned the case until May 30 for hearing of the bail application.

The court, however, ordered that the defendant should be kept in prison pending the outcome of the bail application.

According to the EFCC, the defendant committed the offences on different dates, including November 26, 2018; December 11, 2018; and May 10, 2019.

The commission alleged that the musician conspired with other persons to use different Access Bank Plc cards to defraud some people.

The EFCC said that he used Access Bank Plc Card number 5264711020433662 issued to other persons to obtain fraudulent financial gains.

It added that the defendant possessed counterfeit credit cards with the intent to defraud and steal.

The News  Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the alleged offences contravene Section 1 23 (1) (b), 27 (1), 33, 33(9) Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, 2015.