Visa flags Naira Marley’s credit card for internet fraud

In the ongoing trial of Nigerian artist Azeez Adesina Fashola, widely known as Naira Marley, the 10th prosecution witness, Dein Whyte, an investigator from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informed Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, about Visa flagging one of the credit card details on the singer’s device due to fraudulent transactions.

The EFCC shared this information in a statement on their official X account on Friday. Naira Marley is facing an 11-count charge related to conspiracy and credit card fraud. The EFCC prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, led the proceedings, where Whyte revealed, “Forensic analysis revealed that malicious programs used to illegally obtain credit card information were found on the device recovered from the defendant upon his arrest.”

Whyte disclosed that the analysis uncovered tools to verify credit card validity, active state, accuracy, and issuer region on the defendant’s device. Additionally, the investigation revealed websites involved in the illegal trading of credit card information.

The investigator highlighted that the phone and laptop retrieved from Naira Marley were registered under his credentials. In response to inquiries about the credit card details, Whyte stated, “Investigations revealed that he also exchanged those details with other persons.”

Justice Oweibo adjourned the case to March 6 and 7, 2024, for the continuation of the trial. Naira Marley was recently released from police custody, linked to the investigation into the death of fellow Nigerian artist Mohbad.