Mobile court docks 55 residents for breaching COVID-19 guidelines

By Taofeek Lawal, Abuja

For violating the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Protection Regulation, 2021, fifty-five persons, who were arrested on Monday for not wearing facemasks in public places were arraigned before an Abuja Mobile Court.

The violators were summarily tried and convicted by the Presiding Magistrate, Ebiwari Damini Eremasi, after pleading guilty to the charges read out by the prosecutor, were fined N2,000 with an option of engaging in supervised community service.

However, one of the convicts, who tried to obstruct the court proceedings, was asked to be remanded in a correctional facility.

The Magistrate, while sentencing the offender for contempt of court, after exhibiting unruly behaviour within the court premises, counseled other convicts on the need to follow the COVID-19 protocols religiously.

Addressing journalists after the court sitting, Head, Media, Publicity and Enlightenment of the Taskforce, Comrade Ikharo Attah, explained that the offenders were arrested from different parts of the city, during its regular enforcement routine.

Attah said, “We went round town and made 55 arrests and brought them before the court.  We decided to strengthen the enforcement because we understood that after the vaccines arrived, and the first doses were given to health workers on Friday and Saturday, we have seen relaxation in compliance with COVID-19 Protocols.  So we are actually appealing to people to ensure that they comply with the COVID-19 Health Protocols.”