Why Lagos Govt Dropped Charges Against Gbadamosi, Naira Marley

Lagos State Government on Wednesday withdrew the four-count charges against popular singer, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, and a former Lagos governorship candidate, Babatunde Gbadamosi, and his wife.

The trio were arraigned on Wednesday before the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Ogba for attending the birthday party of Abdulrasheed Bello, aka JJC Skillz, husband of actress, Funke Akindele.

Briefing journalists on what transpired in the courtroom after the proceedings, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate and one of the defence counsel, said the State government withdrew the charges against the defendants after they all agree to the condition that they would tender an apology to President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.

All the defendants were present in court and the prosecution was led by A.G. Oshoala, the direcotr of public prosecution, Lagos State, while Olawale Akoni and Adegboruwa led the defence team.

Oshoala informed the court that he received a directive from the Attorney-General of Lagos State, that in view of the remorseful disposition of the defendants, the state was willing to step down on the charges on three conditions.

First, the defendants will write a formal apology to the governor of Lagos State.

Second, the defendants will sign an undertaking to comply with all regulations relating to COVID-19 pandemic.

Third, the defendants will go on self-isolation for 14 days in order to protect others that they may come in contact with.

All the defendants accepted these conditions and thereafter the DPP applied to withdraw the charges and requested that the conditions be complied with, and updates given through the police officer in charge of legal department, SCID, Panti, Yaba.

Delivering a bench ruling, the magistrate said it was better to allow the defendants enough time to comply with the conditions.

She gave the defendants 24 hours to comply with the conditions.

The case was consequently adjourned to Thursday, for withdrawal or plea, as the case may be.

Messrs Akoni and Adegboruwa, on behalf of the defence, expressed their gratitude to the court, the governor of Lagos State, the Attorney General of Lagos State and the Police, for the peaceful and friendly proceedings.

The Police had ordered Naira Marley to submit himself for questioning after he attended the birthday party at Funke Akindele’s house in Amen Estate, despite the lockdown directive in Lagos.

Gbadamosi has also admitted being at the party and apologised for it.

Both the actress and her husband on Monday pleaded guilty to hosting the party despite the government directive on the Coronavirus lockdown.

They were sentenced to 14 days of community service and fined N100,000 each by a magistrate court in Ogba, Lagos.