Naira Marley Reacts to Car Theft Allegation, Says it’s Free Promo

Ololade Adeyanju/

Nigerian musician, Adeyemi Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has reacted to news reports that a Lagos Chief Magistrates’ Court had ordered his arrest and arraignment over alleged car theft.

The musician in a series of tweets on his verified Twitter handle, @officialnairam1, said the report was an attempt by some unnamed persons to stain his name.

He however said he viewed the report as free promo for his career.

He wrote: “Car theft?? 😂😂😂😂 maybe I need to post my bentley, Porsche or benzo. If u lot like try stain my name from today till tomorrow I will still be the next president and who’s adeyemi fashola aka Naira Marley. Another free promo I’m guessing.”

In another post, the musician wrote: “U can’t even sue no1 in Nigeria 😂 😂 It would cost u so much money to sue. I would have sue all these news presenters but then again LOL Ep coming out 18th December. I believe is God that just want y’all to give me free promo.”

According to reports, a chief magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, had ordered that the Investigating Police Officer, Sgt. Sunday Idoko, must present Naira Marley in court on December 21 which is the next date of adjournment.

However, two of the musician’s brothers and his cousins reportedly appeared in court over alleged theft of a car and a cell phone.

The defendants, Idris Fashola, 18, Babatunde Fashola, 24; and Kunle Obere, 22, are facing four counts bordering on conspiracy, stealing, assault and obstructing the arrest of Naira Marley.

The chief magistrate granted the three defendants N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

The prosecutor, ASP Edet Okoi, told the court that the three defendants committed the offences on December 16, at Eko Hotel Roundabout on Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said the trio, who were in a motorcade with Naira 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 one Mr Adelekan Ademola.

He added that the three defendants and others at large assaulted the complainant by beating him up.

Okoi alleged that the second defendant, Babatunde Fashola and others at large obstructed the police while performing their lawful duty and prevented them from arresting Naira Marley.

“One of the vehicles in the musician’s motorcade hit the complainant’s vehicle from the back while he was throwing out money from his vehicle to his fans.

“When the complainant came down from the vehicle to inspect the damage, Obere entered into the complainant’s Camry and drove it off with the motorcade.

“Ademola reported to the police and the vehicle was tracked to where it was parked at Jakande Crescent, Oniru in Lagos.

“When the police arrived at the location in company with the complainant, Naira Marley and his boys started beating the complainant.

“A group of boys obstructed the police from arresting the musician but they were able to apprehend the three defendants,” he alleged.

He said the offences contravened Sections 112,172, 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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