Court convicts 16 in Edo for violating COVID-19 guidelines

A mobile Court sitting in Benin City, at the weekend, convicted 16 persons for violating the Edo State Dangerous Infectious Diseases Prevention Regulations, put in place by the government to curtail spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Edo State Judiciary in April 2020, constituted mobile courts across the state to try violators of the Regulations, invoked by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The violators, who were arrested at Airport Road axis, under Oredo Magistrate District, were charged for violating government’s order on compulsory use of facemask to protect themselves and prevent infecting others.

The accused persons all pleaded guilty to the offence. They also pleaded to the court for mercy.

They were sentenced to between two to three days community service of two to three hours each to cut grasses at Evboriaria Magistrate Court Compound; High Court premises and Golf Course Road by Government House, with a fine between N2,000 and N5,000.

One of the accused persons, Mr. Fred Ibrahim, was discharged and acquitted, while another, Mr. John Akpan, was charged for overloading his vehicle, which is against the Quarantine Act of Nigeria.

Also, one Mr. Nosakhare Osazuwa, with Vehicle Registration Number LNA 611 BP, was charged for picking passengers in an unauthorised bus stop, while Mr. Ogeide Nosa was discharged and freed on health grounds.