A mobile court sitting in Benin City headed by Chief Magistrate Bright Eraze Oniha on Tuesday convicted eleven persons for disobeying the directive of the Edo State Government on compulsory use of facemasks and the restriction of movement.
The convicted persons that were arrested at various locations in the state capital, Benin City, pleaded guilty to the offence and for leniency from the Chief Magistrate.
The court ordered the convicted persons to carry out three hours of community service within the premises of the Edo State High Court, Benin City.
Two other persons: Miss Stephine Francis and Mr. Uti Christopher who pleaded not guilty were discharged and acquitted by the Chief Magistrate on the ground of no witness to the alleged offence committed.
The eleven persons convicted by the court include: Comfort Okoh, Hizobus Maris, Doris Idada, Habibat Osayande, Emmanuel James, Friday Peter, Joseph Nwigbo and Ola Michael.
They were all convicted for disobeying the directive of the Edo State Government by refusing to wear facemask thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 8 (6) (C) of the Edo State Dangerous Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020 and Section 203 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 48, Vol. II, Law of the Defunct Bendel State, 1976, as applicable to Edo State.
Mr. Muhammed Tanko and Bako Chime were convicted for disobeying the restrictions of movement order, thereby committing an offence contrary to the regulation 16 (3) of the Edo State Dangerous Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020 and Section 203 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 48, Vol. II, law of the defunct Bendel State, 1976, as applicable to Edo State. From Observer.