Nigerian Singer, Iyanya, In Car Theft Saga …Arrested by Police

Men of Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) Ikoyi, Lagos, has arraigned Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, popularly called Iyanya, before an Igbosere High Court, of Lagos State, for alleged car theft.

Iyanya was arraigned before Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile led-court on a count charge of the offence.

The police had filed the charge against the singer since March 15, 2019, and his arraignment has been adjourned for six times after the charge marked LD/9024c/2019, was filed due to his persistence failure to be in court, despite been served with the charge and hearing notice.

Iyanya was compelled to take his plea on February 4, after the presiding judge had threatened to invoke the power of the court to ensure his attendance in court to take his plea on the allegation.

He eventually appeared before the court on February 4, 2020, after which the charge was read to him.

Arraigning the Singer, the prosecutor, Mr. Chukwu Agwu, A Superintendent of Police, informed the court that Iyanya dishonestly converted to his use or of another person a Black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Jeep marked MAVINIY, while the Chassis and Engine numbers are: JTEBX7FJ7EK165480 and 2TR1385954 respectively.

Barrister Agwu told the court that said vehicle belongs to ‘The Temple Management Company Limited, represented by a lawyer, Ayodeji Olomojobi.

The prosecutor informed the court that Iyanya committed the offence sometimes in September 2018. And that the offence committed by the musician is contrary to Sections 278(1) (b), 279(1)(2) and punishable under Section 285(10) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The singer had and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his not guilty plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Agwu, urged the court to remand the defendant in custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS), pending the the hearing and determination of his bail application. 

Responding, the musician’s lawyer, Williams A., pleaded with the court to remand his client in the custody of the NCS, while urged the release the musician to him undertake to produce him in court at the next adjourned day.

Following the submission of the prosecutor and the undertake made by Iyanya’s counsel to produce him in court at the next adjourned date, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile released him to his counsel, while adjourned the matter till February 27 and March 17, for ruling on his bail application and trial respectively.