Lagos AG & Comm for Justice, Moyo Onigbanjo SAN
The Lagos State
Government through Commissioner for justice, Moyo Onigbanjo SAN has
given conditions for withdrawing the criminal charge brought against
controversial hip-hop star, Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley,
former Lagos governorship aspirant, Babatunde Gbadamosi and his wife Folashade
for flouting the state Coronavirus social distancing directive.
Naira Marley ably
represented in court by Damilola Ayinde-Marshall alongside Afeez Olabisi
while Olawale Akoni SAN alongside Dr Bayo Adaralegbe represented
the Babatunde Gbadamosi.
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa
SAN alongside O. Awonuga represented the 3rd def, Folasade Gbadamosi.
After announcement of
appearance, the DPP, Yakub Oshaola told the court that even though the state
has filed a charge before the court, ...a few minutes before the court sat, the
AG & Comm for Justice, Moyo Onigbanjo SAN foreworded a directive to him
that having considered the remorsefulness of the 3defendants, he has considered
diverting the case out of court based on the defendants fulfilling three
conditions.
(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 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.
Mr Oshoala also
submitted that this is absolutely necessary “in view of the fact that some
individuals who travelled from endangered countries where present at the party.
He stressed that the state is not a persecutor but it is always ready to
enforce the laws that benefit the interest of the public.
“If they agree to this
conditions, the 4 count charge will be withdrawn and that will be the end of
the matter. We will keep it in abeyance.” That’s our submission.
In his submission, Akoni
said: On behalf of the 2nd def, we wish to express our appreciation to
the state, the DPP and to confirm to the court that we accept the three
conditions.
On his part,
Adegboruwa said : 'On behalf of the 3rd def, we express our appreciation
to his excellency, Mr President and the Governor, the AG, The DPP & his
team, the Police and most of all the court.
The third def is a law
abiding citizen and accepts all that three conditions as stipulated by the
DPP.
Also speaking,
Ayinde-Marshall said: "On behalf of the first defendant, we say a
big thank you to the police, the President, Mr Gov and the DPP. My client is a
law abiding citizen too and a strict supporter of government policies.
We undertake that we
will fulfill the three conditions given to them."
