TheCable

A magistrate court sitting in Edo, on Friday, convicted eight persons for violating the COVID-19 protocol in the state.

Mobile courts were set up across the state to try violators of the Dangerous Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020, which was invoked by Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

The suspects were arraigned before Bright Eraze Oniha, who presided over a mobile court which held its sitting at the premises of the Edo state high court.

The suspects — Abu Sani, Umaru Ali, Emmanuella Sylvester, Desmond Victory, Peter Nyashi, Franca Osas, Kashatu Mahmud and Clement Palmer — were arrested for not wearing face masks, and sentenced to community service as punishment.

According to NAN, they were convicted for violating section 8(6)(c) of the Edo state Dangerous Infectious Diseases (Prevention) Regulations 2020 and section 203 of the criminal code law, Cap 48, Vol. II, law of the defunct Bendel State, 1976.

Four other persons — Sylvester Alufokhai, Austin King, Austin Osaro and James Uyi — were arraigned for breaking the state’s curfew directive.

Meanwhile, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), as of January 21, Edo has confirmed 3,436 coronavirus infections, which include 2,878 recoveries and 133 deaths.