Edo mobile court arraigns 13 persons, convicts others for violating regulations

A mobile court sitting in Benin City, headed by Chief Magistrate Bright Eraze Oniha, on Tuesday, convicted 11 persons for disobeying the directive of the Edo State government on compulsory use of face masks and the restriction of movement.

The convicted persons, who were arrested at various locations in the state capital, pleaded guilty to the offence and asked for leniency from the Chief Magistrate.

The court ordered the convicted persons to carry out three hours of community service within the premises of the Edo State High Court, Benin City.

Two other persons, Miss Stephine Francis and Mr. Uti Christopher, who pleaded not guilty, were discharged and acquitted by the Chief Magistrate on the ground of no witness to the alleged offence committed.

The 11 persons convicted by the court include Comfort Okoh, Hizobus Maris, Doris Idada, Habibat Osayande, Emmanuel James, Friday Peter, Joseph Nwigbo and Ola Michael.

They were all convicted for disobeying the directive of the Edo State government by refusing to wear face masks, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 8 (6) (C) of the Edo State Dangerous Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020 and Section 203 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 48, Vol. II, Law of the Defunct Bendel State, 1976, as applicable to Edo State.

Mr. Muhammed Tanko and Bako Chime were convicted for disobeying the restrictions of movement order, thereby committing an offence contrary to the regulation 16 (3) of the Edo State Dangerous Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020 and Section 203 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 48, Vol. II, the law of the defunct Bendel State, 1976, as applicable to Edo State.