After spending over a month in police custody, Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, known professionally as Naira Marley, and his close associate, Samson Erinfolami Balogun, also known as Sam Larry, have been released from custody after fulfilling their bail conditions.
Their release occurred on the evening of Friday, November 17, following a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos State, granting them bail on Monday, November 6, 2023.
The court had set their bail at N20 million each, with three responsible sureties.
The duo’s release stems from their arrest and subsequent arraignment over their alleged involvement in the death of Naira Marley’s former signee, Mohbad, who passed away on September 12.
Upon the November 6 ruling, Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun directed the defendants to submit their passports and mandated them to report weekly to the State Criminal Investigation Department at Panti.
See post below for further details:
Naira Marley and Sam Larry regains freedom after fulfilling bail condition. pic.twitter.com/HHEoNbkA17
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) November 17, 2023
Their release has sparked reactions on social media, with some expressing relief and others questioning the decision to grant bail. See comments garnered below:
soloblinkz: “Nothing like JUSTICE in this country. Nobody should even bother to defend this country self.”
sarauniyaaffordablewears: “Just like that? How I wish the d*ad can actually f*ght for themselves. Modbad would have w*pe them with oraimo cord right now.”
korede_lagos: “This is not justice yet. Common Nigerians don’t enjoy this kind of leniency and judicial soft-landing that bail guarantees. If we must build a country that works for all, all men must be treated equally. It seems there’s no iota of hope to get justice in this country, so long the accused is connected to the political drivers of the nation.”
iam_gazani: “These men don’t have a hand in Mohbads death.”
_peaceful_baddie: “At this point this country is truly a anarchy country smh.. not even surprised.”
Tee_Classiquem1: “He should do Marlian concert in Ikorodu”
pinky_ruthie: “Welcome to Nigeria where the rich oppress the poor and the highest bidder always win any case”