The Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Thursday afternoon granted Nigerian singer, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, bail in the sum of ₦2 million.

After listening to the arguments of the defence and prosecution counsels, Justice Nicholas Oweibo who presided over the bail hearing granted the singer bail with two sureties in like sum.

At the resumed bail application, Naira Marley’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo apologized for his client’s absence at the initial arraignment on May 20 due to a heavy downpour, urging the court to accept the bail application based on the presumption of his innocence in accordance with the law.

The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo however argued that it was not the temporary release of the singer that mattered but the final judgment. He therefore urged the court to grant accelerated hearing rather than bail.

Oyedepo maintained that since the defendant’s lawyer described the accused person as a celebrity,  his actions and inactions had a multiplier effect on the youth across Nigeria.

Naira Marley was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for alleged internet fraud.

The trial was therefore adjourned to October 22, 23 and 24 for accelerated hearing.