Lagos government withdraws charges against Gbadamosi and Naira Marley

The Lagos State Government has withdrawn the charges it filed against musician, Naira Marley, and a politician, Babatunde Gbadamosi for violating lockdown.

Naira Marley, Gbadamosi and his wife were charged before the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Ogba for attending a crowded birthday party in violation of the government’s social distancing directive to check the spread of coronavirus.

They were scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday but the government, according to one of the defence counsel, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), withdrew the four counts filed against the three defendants.

Policemen had earlier barred journalists from the court premises.

At the end of the proceedings, Adegboruwa briefed journalists on what transpired in the courtroom.

He said the state withdrew the charges on the condition that the defendants would tender an apology to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.