The acting EFCC spokesperson, Mr Tony Orilade, in an interview with Premium Times, said, “Yes, he is with us. He’s not the only person; he had some other persons also arrested alongside (him). They were arrested in relation to advance fee fraud — Internet-related cases and all of that. Give me a little time and I will get you the details.” The news of Naira Marley's arrest first broke in the early hours of Friday, May 10, 2019. Pulse Nigeria EFCC reportedly arrest Naira Marley Pulse Nigeria According to Premium Times, Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley has been arrested by men of the EFCC and is being questioned. It is not clear the reason behind his arrest but it could be connected to his recent comments on Internet fraudsters on social media. Pulse cannot verify the authenticity of the story as the EFCC is yet to respond to any of our inquiries. We also reached to the singer via his email address for a response and we are yet to get a response. Also, the EFCC has not released any statement concerning the arrest of Naira Marley. Pulse Nigeria<doc-sep>On Friday, May 10, 2019, Pulse reported that the EFCC arrested Naira Marley and four others over his alleged involvement in advance fee scam and other related cyber crimes. Confirming the singer’s arrest, the acting EFCC spokesperson, Mr Tony Orilade, in an interview with Premium Times, said, “Yes, he is with us. He’s not the only person; he had some other persons also arrested alongside (him). They were arrested in relation to advance fee fraud — Internet-related cases and all of that. Give me a little time and I will get you the details.” Following his arrest, Naira Marley in a video which surfaced online on Saturday, May 11, 2019, has something to tell his fans about his music and how many times he's been arrested. The singer in a live video said: “Lemme tell you, you don’t nothing about me, I have been arrested 124 times in England and I am not doing any other type of music, No slow songs, no love songs, just street music.” You’ll recall that Naira Marley broke the Internet a few weeks ago when he made comments suggestive of his sympathy towards Internet fraudsters popularly known as ‘Yahoo Yahoo Boys.’<doc-sep>Davido Reacts. Since news broke in the early hours of today about the arrest of Nigerian musician, Naira Marley, real name Afeez Fashola and ‘Zanku’ crooner Omomniyi Temidayo popularly Zlatan Ibile by the Economic and Financial Crimes Comission, EFCC, Nigerians and celebrities have taken to social media to express their opinions. Sahara Reporters had exclusively revealed the real reason the duo were arrested. However, top entertainers like Burna Boy, Davido, Olamide amongst others have taken to their various social media handles to give their reaction. Burna Boy Reacts Alongside a picture of Naira Marley, Davido wrote on his Instagram page “MARLIAN!! (the name given to the singers fans) Freee bro!!!! Nothing spoil!! I got u!! !”. Olamide Reacts<doc-sep>According to Punch, the musician risks seven years in jail if found guilty as Section 33 (2) which he was accused of breaching, reads: “Any person who uses: a counterfeit access device; an unauthorised access device; an access device issued to another person; resulting in a loss or gain commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than seven years or a fine of not more than N5,000,000.00 and forfeiture of the advantage or value derived from his act. Punch also reports that the charges with suit number FHC/L/178C/19 were filed before a Lagos State High Court. The anti-graft agency on it's twitter handle said the musician will be arraigned on Monday, May 20, 2019. According to the EFCC, some of the credit cards recovered from the artiste bore the names- Nicole Louise Malyon, and Timea Fedorne Tatar. Pulse Nigeria The charges read in part: “That you, Azeez Adeshina Fashola, aka Naira Marley, and Raze (still at large), on or about the 11th day of December 2018, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to use Access card 42658840359191132 issued to persons other than you in a bid to obtain gain and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27(1)(b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 33(2) of the Same Act. “That you, Azeez Adeshina Fashola, aka Naira Marley, and Raze (still at large), on or about the 10th day of May 2019, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, with intent to defraud possessed, counterfeit card 4921819410257431 issued to Timea Fedorne Tatar and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33(9) of Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.” You’ll recall that Naira Marley was arrested by the men of the EFCC on Friday, May 10, 2019, in company of Zlatan Ibile and three others.<doc-sep>
Tobi Aworinde, Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has confirmed the arrest of popular singer, Afeez Fashola, otherwise known as Naira Marley, and four others in relation to alleged advance fee scam and related cyber crimes. Premium Times had reported on Friday morning that the musician was arrested by the EFCC in Lagos. Naira Marley, known for his single Issa Goal, recently came under fire by renowned rapper, Ruggedman, for promoting Internet fraud in his music. The acting EFCC spokesperson, Mr. Tony Orilade, in an interview with our correspondent, said, “Yes, he is with us. He’s not the only person; he had some other persons also arrested alongside (him). “They were arrested in relation to advance fee fraud — Internet-related cases and all of that. Give me a little time and I will get you the details.” The EFCC added in a series of tweets later on Friday, “Intelligence report had also linked them to cybercrime offence. They were arrested along with: Tiamiu Abdulrahman Kayode, Adewunmi Adeyanju Moses and Abubakar Musa. “Their arrest followed an early morning raid on Friday, May 10, 2019 at 9, Gbangbola Street, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos.” A video featuring Ruggedman had gone viral this week in which the rapper called out Naira Marley for advocating Internet fraud. The artiste noted that the promotion of such cyber crimes impacted negatively on Nigerians abroad. However, Naira Marley, whose recent song is titled Am I A Yahoo Boy, responded by mocking Ruggedman in an Instagram video and defended his artistic choices. The EFCC last year launched Operation Cyber Storm which sought to curb the activities of Internet fraudsters. Over 150 suspects have been reportedly arrested across the country.