Court Sentences 53 To Community Services for Violating Face Mask Order In Osun 1
Crime

Court Sentences 53 To Community Services for Violating Face Mask Order In Osun

An Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo on Tuesday went ahead to sentence an expatriate Elisan Mohammed and 53 residents of the state to two hours community service without an option of fine for not wearing a facemask in a public place.

56 violators was arrested by the state COVID-19 Joint Task Force and was tried by the Ministry of Justice.

The prosecution team from the Ministry of Justice led by Mr. Adekunle Adeniyi made this open in court that Elisan Mohammed and 55 others on the 4th of August, 2020 at 11:30 am conducted themselves in a manner to cause a breach of public peace by not following laid down guideline in respect of COVID-19 pandemic as stipulated by Osun State Government and thereby endanger the lives of General Public and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249(d)(3) of Criminal Code Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

“Also, Ajewole Siju on the aforementioned date and time conducted herself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the public peace, she obstructed the cause of justice by resisting lawful arrest and assaulted one Mrs. Fadare Grace, an NCDC Officer and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 126 of the Criminal Code, cap 34 Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.”

The 53 violators pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against them.

The legal counsel to all the defendant in person of Mr. Najite Okobe encouraged the court to caution them all because they are first time offenders.

However, he appealed to the court to caution and discharged three of the defendants on health ground. He said one of them is a pregnant woman and the other two people, (Ajani Damilare and one other) were on their way to the hospital when they were arrested.

The Magistrate, Mr. Adebayo Ajala, convicted and sentenced Elisan Mohammed and 52 other others to two hours community service without an option of fines. Ajewole Siju to two hours community service for the two counts; however, she was given the option of fine for the second count. While he cautioned and discharged Ajani Damilare, Olagunju Tolulope and one other on health ground.

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