Musician, Naira Marley, has reportedly opted for out-of-court settlement over allegation of car theft.
A Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos had on New Year’s Eve given him till January 14, 2020, to appear in court or risk being arrested.
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However, lawyers representing Naira Marley, his two brothers Idris Fashola, 18; Babatunde Fashola, 24; and their cousin, Kunle Obere, 22, disclosed that the four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, assault and obstructing the police against their clients might be dropped before the next hearing of the case if talks between them and the complainant’s lawyers is successful.
Marley’s lawyer, Awokulehin Ayodeji, was said to have told The Nation that the police are not against a peaceful resolution of the matter.
“We hope that an agreement will be reached before the next adjourned date. The police have no problem with an out-of-court settlement,” he was quoted saying.
Naira Marley was not in court on December 31 to face trial, prompting Chief Magistrate Tajudeen Elias to demand his presence on January 14 or have a bench warrant for his arrest issued.
The singer and his siblings are accused of stealing a Toyota Camry valued at N1.8 million and an iPhone X5 said to be worth N330,000.
Police say the car and the mobile phone belong to one Adelekan Ademola.
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Prosecutor Edet Okoi said Naira Marley and others acted contrary to sections 112, 172, 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Mr Okoi alleged that the three defendants committed the offences on December 16 at Eko Hotel Roundabout on Victoria Island, Lagos.
