By Ovie Okpare
The police in Delta State have arraigned 30 persons before the mobile court of the Magistrate Court 1 in Warri , Delta South, for violating the sit-at-home order declared by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to curb the spread of the novel COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
The suspects were arrested policemen across the state while enforcing the stay-at-home order on Thursday at various parts of the city.
They were arraigned on one-count charge of violating the stay-at-home order of the Delta government.
Arraigning the suspects before Mrs. E.M Sowho, the prosecuting counsel, Sunday Irabor (DSP) told the court that the suspects failed to comply with the lockdown order as directed by the state government.
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Irabor told the presiding magistrate that the suspects by their action had breach the Regulation 2 sub 1of Infectious Disease (emergency prevention regulations) 2020 of Delta government and thus punishable under section 61 of the Public Health Law of Delta State, Nigeria 2006.
Some of the suspects pleaded guilty while other pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.
After hearing the charge and the pleas of the offenders, Magistrate Sowho,in her wisdom fined the accused between N500 and N1000 each to serve as deterrent to residents of the city against violating the order.
She, however, ordered to be released after paying the fine.
Among the accused are Edor Bernard (m), Ebi Ziporah (m), Oke Michael (m), Juliet Sarah (f), Jubemi Omatseye (m), Salisu Yakubu (m) and Stanley Freeborn (m).
One of the accused, Freeborn, who was sentenced to a community service, advised the public to obey the government order noting that it was in the interest of the general public.
The government had in a bid to enforce the 14-day stay-at-home order inaugurated three mobile courts in Warri, Ughelli and Asaba.
Delta has recorded one case of the virus in the state since the outbreak of the disease in Nigeria.
What are they hiding about the Pastor that died in warri and his Church? Den still dey hide this kind sickness, no be say na aids kill am. Na wa