Popular Nigerian musician, Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, simply known as Iyanya is in big trouble as the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) Ikoyi, Lagos has charged him with alleged car theft.
We gathered Iyanya was arraigned for the offence on February 4, 2020 before Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile of an Igbosere High Court, Lagos.
Our source disclosed that the police filed the one-count charge marked LD/9024c/2019, against Iyanya on March 15, 2019.
However, the singer failed to appear in court for arraignment, despite allegedly being served with the charge and hearing notice, following which the arraignment was adjourned six times.
We gathered that at the last adjournment, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile threatened to invoke the power of the court to ensure Iyanya’s attendance to take his plea.
The singer, we learnt appeared before the judge on February 4, 2020, following which the charge was read to him.
Be that as it may, prosecution counsel, Mr. Chukwu Agwu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), alleged that Iyanya committed the offence sometimes in September 2018.
Meanwhile, the court heard that the defendant allegedly dishonestly converted to his use or of another person, a Black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked MAVINIY, with Chassis and Engine numbers JTEBX7FJ7EK165480 and 2TR1385954.
The Police Superintendent told the court that the said vehicle belongs to ‘The Temple Management Company Ltd, represented by a lawyer, Ayodeji Olomojobi.
We learned that the offence, according to the prosecutor, was contrary to Sections 278(1) (b), 279(1)(2) and punishable under Section 285(10) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The prosecution counsel (Agwu) prayed the court to remand the defendant in prison custody, pending the hearing and determination of his bail application. But Iyanya’s counsel, Mr Williams A. opposed him.
Iyanya’s lawyer prayed the court to release the musician to him and undertook to produce him in court on the next adjournment. Justice Okikiolu-Ighile granted the defence counsel’s prayer and released him to his counsel.
However, the case is adjourned till February 27 and March 17, for ruling on Iyanya’s bail application and commencement of trial.
