In the world of controversial singer Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, whose fan base is often referred to as a cult following, life had been a dream come true for many of his peers. However, everything took a turn for the worse on September 12, 2023, when his former protege, Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad, passed away under contentious circumstances. Prior to his untimely demise, Mohbad had alleged that he was facing harassment and assault from individuals purportedly acting on the orders of Naira Marley, all because he had left Marlian Music.
Since this tragic incident, the embattled ‘Soapy’ singer has been met with strong criticism from the Nigerian public, with numerous calls for his arrest. In response, he maintained that he was not in the country at the time of Mohbad’s death and expressed his willingness to return only if the police could guarantee his safety. During this period, many of his Instagram followers unfollowed him, leading to a significant drop from 7.3 million followers to 6.8 million followers in less than two weeks.
Ultimately, Naira Marley returned to Nigeria on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, arriving at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos. Upon his arrival, he was immediately taken into custody by police officers and transported to the Lagos State Police Command’s Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department located in Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
According to an anonymous police source, he was detained in cell D4 of the police unit. On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, when our correspondent visited the SCIID, Naira Marley, who is typically known for his high-energy and provocative persona, appeared somber and isolated. He was escorted to the administrative block of cell D4 by police officers and accompanied by his associate, Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry. He was dressed simply in black jeans, a shirt, and a multicolored jacket that loosely hung from one shoulder. His usually flamboyant hairstyle was left unstyled, perhaps as if he hoped his concerns would flow away just like his unruly hair.
On that day, he had returned from a magistrate court where the police had obtained a remand warrant, allowing them to extend his custody beyond the constitutionally mandated 48 hours.
Providing an insider’s perspective on Naira Marley’s demeanor since his arrival at the police station, another officer shared with Saturday Beats, “He got here at about 11pm yesterday (Tuesday).He is not being mistreated because police officers are not bad people. They did not touch him or do anything to him. He has been very lively.Sam Larry is also here. Though there is nobody that would be in this kind of situation and be happy, but Naira Marley is a ‘flenjo’ (outgoing person).”
When Findwhosabi correspondent arrived at Panti around 10 am, she approached the front desk, where she encountered two policewomen. She requested to see Naira Marley, claiming to be his friend. Initially denied entry, she was eventually allowed in after providing a bribe of N5,000.
Upon entry, she was required to leave her phone behind before proceeding to the charge room to make further inquiries. However, when Saturday Beats reached the charge room, Naira Marley was not present. Another police officer then directed our correspondent to the D4 block, where the singer was detained.
While waiting on the premises, a vendor mentioned that she had spotted Marley several times that day and noted that he appeared to be in good spirits and was interacting cordially with people. Others who overheard the conversation added that the opposite seemed to be the case for Sam Larry, whom they perceived as stern-faced and arrogant.
After approximately an hour of waiting, Marley and Larry were seen being escorted to the admin block of the D block of cells. Marley appeared jovial and exchanged greetings with a few individuals as he passed by, while Larry wore a somber expression and did not engage with anyone.
Describing the living conditions of the newly detained individuals, a police officer explained, “They are not staying together; they are in separate rooms. There is a VIP room, but there is no air conditioner there. They only have new mattresses and fans. After they leave, they could dispose of the foam or give it out.”
The officer added that visitors had been coming to see Marley and bringing food for him.
Meanwhile, Naira Marley faces further legal trouble as Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, issued a production warrant against him. The judge ordered Naira Marley’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), to present the singer, who is facing 11-count charges of conspiracy and credit card fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in court on October 30.
Commenting on the development, the spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Dele Oyewale, stated, “The production warrant issued by the judge today has compelled Naira Marley’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo to produce the singer in court at the next adjourned date, which is October 30. It is not the duty of the EFCC to take the singer from police custody.”