Abuja Court Convicts Naira Marley, Fines Him N200,000

Nigerian musician, Naira Marley, whose real name is Azeez Fashola has been convicted of violating COVID-19 restrictions by an Abuja court and fined N200,000.

He was arraigned by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on a four-count charge after performing in a concert in June at Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja, in clear violation of the presidential restriction on Interstate travels and public gatherings.

Naira Marley pleaded guilty to all the charges against him and was fined the sum of N200,000 by Magistrate Idayat Akanni.

It will be recalled that the singer was yesterday arrested by the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Police and arraigned alongside his manager, Seyi Awonuga at a Lagos Court on a count charge of breach of the cessation of movement and interstate travel order made by the President Muhammadu Buhari under Regulation 4(i) of the Lagos State Infectious Disease Emergency Prevention) Regulation No 2 of 2020.

The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Bala Elkana, stated that the Nigerian singer and his manager committed an offence punishable under Section 58 Public Health Law, Ch. P16, Laws of Lagos State 2015.

The two pleaded guilty to the charges during the hearing and were awarded a fine of one hundred thousand naira each by the presiding magistrate.

The musician had been in the news in June for travelling to Abuja from Lagos with a private charter flight during COVID-19 lockdown to perform at a concert.

The concert which held at the Jabi Lake Mall on Saturday, June 13th, was in contravention of the COVID-19 Presidential Task Force directive on social gatherings.