COVID-19: Lagos Courts Fine 202 Joggers For Violating Lockdown Order
BY CHINYERE OBIORA, LAGOS – For violating the lockdown directives to curb the spread of coronavirus in Lagos 202 fitness enthusiasts have been arraigned before two Mobile Courts in Lagos State.
The fitness addicts were arrested on Thursday morning by officials of the Lagos State Taskforce at over 15 areas across the State for jogging, cycling or loitering. These include Yaba, Agege, Ogudu/Ojota and Iju areas of the metropolis
They were charged before two Magistrates, Mrs Makanju Oshodi and Mr Nurudeen Layeni of the Lagos Mobile Courts in a trial held at the State Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, Yaba
All the defendants were slammed with a one-count charge of violating the social distancing directives of the Lagos State government contrary to Regulation 1(1) of the COVID-19 Regulations and punishable under Section 5 of the Public Health Laws of Lagos State 2015.
With most of them pleading guilty to the charge, they were ordered by the Court to pay fines ranging from N5,000 to N10,000 to the Lagos State Government.
In addition, the violators were ordered to immediately commence a two-hour community service.
Addressing newsmen after the trial, Coordinator of Mobile Courts, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Arinola Ogbara-Banjoko explained that over 260 persons have so far been arraigned at the Mobile Courts for various violations and related offences since the lockdown commenced.
She also said about 50 juvenile offenders and persons with special needs were apprehended during the raid but are yet to be arraigned at the Mobile Courts for various reasons.
According to her, some of these persons were among the over 260 persons tried at the mobile courts.
The Mobile Court Coordinator further stated that the deaf and dumb persons were however excused because no interpreter was on ground to handle their translation.
