Lagos State govt reveals why it dropped charges against Naira Marley, Gbadamosi

The Lagos State Government has revealed why it has dropped charges brought against popular singer, Azeez Fashola, known as Naira Marley, and a former governorship candidate, Babatunde Gbadamosi, and his wife, Folashade.

The trio were arraigned on Wednesday before the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Ogba for attending a birthday party of Abdulrasheed Bello, the husband of Funke Akindele, popularly called Jenifa- thus violating existing COVID-19 lockdown directives by the Lagos State government.

One of the defence counsels of the state government, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa who spoke to newsmen after proceeding on Wednesday said that state withdrew the charges on the condition that the defendants 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 director of public prosecution, Lagos State. Olawale Akoni and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa led the defence team.

Mr 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.

READ ALSO: Funke Akindele, husband get 14 days community service for breaking Lagos lockdown order

(1) They have to write a formal apology to the Government of Lagos State which will solidify the remorsefulness shown by them.

(2) They have to give an undertaking in writing that they will continue to comply with the directives of Mr President and Mr Governor which is the subject matter of the case before the court.

(3) In view of the danger which the state believes they’ve put themselves in by attending a gathering exceeding 20 persons, they must agree to go on 14 days isolation to protect other members of the public from any likely danger.

The trio had on Monday turned themselves in at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba, after the police asked them and others who attended the party to report at the SCIID.

Earlier on Tuesday, Funke Akindele and her husband were arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ogba, Lagos and they pleaded guilty to hosting the party.

They were sentenced to 14 days of community service and fined N100, 000 each.

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