Two Egyptians, Others Convicted for Violating Restriction Order in Ekiti

Victor Ogunje in Ado-Ekiti

Twelve persons who violated the provisions of Ekiti State Coronavirus (Prevention of Infection) Regulations,2020 made pursuant to Section 8 of the Quarantine Act, Cap 2, LFN, 2004, were fine accordingly for violating the stay at home order by the state government.

The Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti wednesday convicted two Egyptian nationals, Mohammed Mustapha and Mahmud Ahmed, who were found guilty of the two count charges leveled against them by the state government for violating the Covid-19 order.

“On the 1st day of April, 2020 at Fajuyi Area within the Ado-Ekiti Magistrate District did violate the Provision of Regulation 2 (1) (b) punishable under Regulation 12 of the Provisions of Ekiti State Coronavirus (Prevention of Infection) Regulations, 2020 made pursuant to Section 8 of the Quarantine Act, Cap 2, LFN, 2004”.

“On about the 1st day of April 2020 at Fajuyi Area within Ado-Ekiti Magistrate District, did without lawful excuse drive Rav 4, Car contrary to and punishable under Section 202 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012”. Mohammed Mustapha and Mahmud were both fined N2,500 each on count 1 and count 2, totaling N10,000.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Abdullamid Lawal, said both defendants are reasonably suspects and should be kept in mandatory isolation for 14 days, since one of them, Mustapha, gave evidence in court that he came into the state this morning April 1, 2020 from Ilorin, Kwara State.

Others who received various fines for acts of violations of the restriction order of the state government include two brothers Oladapo Oyinlade and Matthew Oyinlade, for riding on Okada, during the stay at home order. They will both pay N2,500 each on count 1 and N2,500 on count 2, totaling N10,000. The rest are Ogundana Gbenga, who was discharged but was told to produce evidence and his identity, due to his plea that he assisted someone who wants to go and buy medicine for someone who is sick before he was caught.

Sunday Ani, was also fined N1,000 each for the two-count charges. He is to pay N2,000 as fine to government for violating the restriction order on Covid-19 in the state.

Magistrate Lawal, noted that Ani, said he values a dog more that human being for going out to buy drug for a dog that is sick without obeying the order of the state government.

The Director of Prosecution in the cases was Mr. Julius Odugbemi, DPP, assisted by Oyeyemi Omolayo and Kunle Adeyemo, from the state Judiciary.