The Lagos police command on Thursday arraigned controversial Nigerian singer, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley and his Manager, Seyi Awouga, for violating the interstate travel ban during the COVID-19 lockdown.
A statement released by the command’s spokesman, Bala Elkana, said Naira Marley and his manager were arraigned on a one count charge at the Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court, Oshodi.
“The musician was arraigned alongside his manager on one count charge of breach of cessation of movement and interstates travel order made by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under Regulation 4(i) of the Lagos State Infectious Disease Emergency Prevention) Regulation No 2 of 2020 and committed an offence punishable under Section 58 Public Health Law, Ch. P16, Laws of Lagos State 2015.”
The accused persons pleaded guilty to the charge and were awarded a fine of N100,000 each by the magistrate.
Naira Marley, who is not new to controversies had, on June 13, embarked on a non-essential travel from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos the same date, through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja for a musical concert in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The concert was organised by Play Network Africa, Traffic Bar, and El’Carnival, and was sponsored by Glenfiddich.
The violation led the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) sealed Jabi Lake Mall, the venue of the concert.
Also, the aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, announced that Executive Jets Services Ltd, owners of the private jet, had been suspended indefinitely, adding that the captain who operated the flight would also be sanctioned for misleading the control tower.
