BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, ABUJA – Two Imams in Misau Local Government Area of Bauchi State found guilty of contravening the COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown Order and social distancing regulation imposed by the State government have been made to contend with the full wrath of the law.
The Imams namely Malam Musa Hassan and Dahiru Alhaji were told that by the presiding Magistrate that they were not above the law.
Accordingly, the Magistrate, Malam Muktar Abubakar fined the two Imams N25, 000 each for leading Friday Juma’at prayers in their respective mosques.
It was gathered that the two Imams, both of Dunkui Ambi village in Misau Local Government Area were arraigned before a mobile court for contravening the state government’s order on the suspension of religious and social gatherings in the state by leading Friday prayers in their mosques.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Abubakar warned that it will not take it lightly with anyone found going against the law of the state on the particularly with the partial lockdown no matter the status of such a person, stressing that “no one is above the law”.
Magistrate Abubakar called on the people of the state to obey constituted authorities and await further information from the state government.
Governor Bala Mohammed had on the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, signed into law Executive Order 001 of 2020 which stipulates penalties for anyone who flaunts the lockdown order put in place by the State government to check the spread of COVID-19.
