Jabi Lake Mall shut over Naira Marley’s show

The Federal Capital Territory Administration on Sunday sealed Jabi Lake Mall “indefinitely” for violating the ban on large gatherings.

It was gathered that hip-hop artiste, Azeez Fashola, alias Naira Marley, held a concert at the mall on Saturday in contravention of the directive of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus.

The FCTA made its decision to lock up the mall known on Sunday afternoon via Twitter.

“The FCT Ministerial Task Team on COVID-19 seals up Jabi Lake Mall indefinitely for violating Presidential Task Force’s directives on the ban on public gatherings as part of measures to contain the spread of the dreaded pandemic in the territory,” it wrote.

The musician had been arraigned by the Lagos State Government in April for attending a house party despite the restriction on movement and gatherings.

The government, however, withdrew the case while the artiste wrote a letter of apology to the state government.

Naira Marley, who organised the “drive-in concert” at the mall, alongside a former housemate of BBNaija reality show, Kim Oprah, has since come under scathing criticisms, with many Nigerians urging the Federal Government to order the appropriate sanction on the musician and his accomplice.

It was learnt that the two artistes arrived in Abuja from Lagos despite the restriction on interstate movement and performed at the crowded event where attendees were seen to have disregarded social distancing, according to videos circulating online.

FCTA officials locking up the mall on Sunday

A tweep, Joe Abah, wrote, “Somebody approved the Naira Marley concert 2. Somebody approved the non-essential flight to Abuja. Somebody approved a bottle of hard liquor per ticket 4. Somebody didn’t stop the concert when it lost control 6. Somebody should be sacked this morning. If somebody is serious.”

Lola Okunrin tweeted, “Naira Marley was at Funke Akindele’s house during total lockdown. He was at Abuja during interstate ban.

He performed at a concert even though it’s prohibited at the moment. Don’t tell me bullshit, that guy might look like a sickler but he gets mind. No manners.”

@ayemojubar said, “Naira Marley did it first with Funke Akindele. Sincere there was no stringent punishment for that I know he’ll repeat it, and voilà he did it again in Abuja overnight. Lawless citizens, lawless govt, lawless nation.”

@iyaboawokoya wrote, “I have never deprecated anything more than the appearance of that twerp @officialnairam1 on Nigerian scene of notoriety. If there is anything amoral, immoral, idiotic, debased, he is sure to pop up like the proverbial bad coin. Forget the culpability of others, the boy is bad.

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Jabi Lake Mall shut over Naira Marley’s show

| Entertainment |
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- Studied Mass Communication from the University of Jos. He is a Media Consultant, Journalist, a blogger, public relations practitioner and an advocate for social justice.