EFCC operatives arrested Nigerian artistes Naira Marley and Zlatan Ibile on Friday morning, 10th May 2019. This incident took place on his birthday. The duo were caught unawares by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Zlatan’s house. Both had their laptops and phones seized for investigation.
The singer was released on the same day by EFCC custodians. This report came through after a video of the singer walking out of the office of the EFCC circulated on social media.
According to an EFCC spokesperson, the arrest was based on the artiste’s actions of defending internet fraudsters popularly known as ‘Yahoo boys’ on social media. Last month, Naira Marley took to Instagram to defend internet fraudsters. According to him, it’s not a crime because slavery justifies it.
He wrote, “If u know about slavery u go know say yahoo no b crime.” In another post, he asked Nigerians to pray for Yahoo boys.
“All you guys, all the money in your pockets, all the money you spend, you think it’s the government that is making the money go round? You better sit down and pray for yahoo boys. If them stop yahoo, the money would not pass you guys.
“The money will go like this, from Obasanjo to Tinubu, from Tinubu to Mr Japa. You think me I need Yahoo? I make money from my music.”
The sources added that the two artistes are under investigation based on their recently released song glorifying cybercrime. The song is called “Am I a Yahoo Boy?”
The musicians, Naira Marley (Afeez Fashola) and Zlatan Ibile (Omomniyi Temidayo), are undergoing profiling. This is to establish their affiliations with yahoo boys.
Not long after the news broke out, the news began trending on the internet. This caused celebrities, including David “Davido” Adeleke and Abisoye Olukoya Michael (Onyemykke), to react, requesting that they be released.
Davido took to his Instagram, and shared a picture of the Naira Marley with the caption:
“#MARLIAN !! Freee bro!!!! Nothing spoil!! I got u!!!”
Instagram influencer Oyemykke slammed CSP Dolapo Badmus as he called for the release of singer Naira Marley. According to him, the singer is not Nigeria’s problem but our corrupt politicians whom police are allowing to walk free.
EFCC spokesperson, Tony Orilade, confirmed the arrest of Nigerian Artiste, Naira Marley.
He said:
“Yes, he is with us. He’s not the only person; he had some other persons also arrested alongside (him). They were arrested in relation to advance fee fraud — Internet-related cases and all of that. Give me a little time and I will get you the details.”