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Tag: Lockdown

  • Lockdown: Police release names of 78 violators for 30-day community service [Full List]

    Lockdown: Police release names of 78 violators for 30-day community service [Full List]

    The Police in Lagos on Wednesday said 78 violators of the Coronavirus lockdown have been arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to 30-day community service.

    The police also said the violators would observe compulsory 14-isolation, adding that 600 vehicles have been impounded so far.

    Bala Elkana, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in a statement on Wednesday that police officers on enforcement of restriction of movements order arrested 78 suspects for violating the stay at home directives of government.

    “The suspects were arrested playing football on major streets and having group exercise in large number, thereby neglecting the principles of social distancing.

    “The suspects were arraigned at the Chief Magistrate Court, Yaba on one count charge of violating the social distancing directives of Lagos State Government contrary to Regulation 8(1)( a) &(b) and 17(1)(i) of Lagos State Infectious Disease (Emergency prevention) Regulation 2020.

    “It is an offence punishable under Section 58 Public Health Law Cap P16 Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Seventy three of the suspects pleaded guilty to the charge while 3 pleaded not guilty. The Court ordered that all the suspects should be kept in Government Isolation Centres for 14 days and thereafter serve one month community service.

    “The three suspects who pleaded not guilty will after observing the 14 days isolation, be brought to Court for trial,” he said.

    The suspects were arrested along Bush street, Gbagada expressway, Ogudu, Iyana Iba, Ojo road, Ebute Metta, Asimowu street Itire and Ajegunle.

    They include:

    1. Meeks John 29 years

    2. Kingsley Jacob 28 years

    3. Anthony Fashanu 28 years

    4. Chukwuma Okwubaba 28 years

    5. Luke Eboro 43 years

    6. Kenneth Obasuyi 64 years

    7. Julius Joel 41 years

    8. Victor Tamund 38 years

    9, Egbo Nnamdi 40 years

    10. Fortune Sunday 26 years

    11. Faith Omoefe 24 years

    12. Abdulsalam Ahmed 27 years

    13. Rabiu Aslam 20 years

    14. Phil Omoefe 32 years

    15. Adetutu Adurogbanpa 30 years

    16. Gbadamosi Oluwakemi 30 years

    17. Segun Joshua 24 years

    18. Amaka Chuks 28 years

    19. Edokpe Eric Emeka 37 years

    20. Ismaila Kareem 24 years

    21. Nduke Kingsley 22 years

    22. Barnabas James 48 years

    23. Adeleke Sunday 37 years

    24. Ibrahim Olaniron 26 years

    25. Daniel Oduma 31 years

    26. Bashua Oluwaseyi 45 years

    27. Folajin Ebunoluwa 21 years

    28 Folajin Feyi 59 years

    29. Joshua Oyenusi 30 years

    30. Adam Abdulrahman 25 years

    31. Ayomide Adenuga 20 years

    32. Omoniyi Oladayo 37 years

    33. Bamidele Stephen 47 years

    34. Chison Onwusoron 18 years

    35. Oloruntoba Aisha 31 years

    36. Obi Okoye 32 years

    37. Olagoke Onuoluwa 28 years

    38. Akeem Ikeoluwa 43 years

    39. Yakubu Musa 27 years

    40. Segun Michael 27 years

    41. Idris Abdulsalem 22 years

    42. Shittu Okikiola 26 years

    43. Adebayo Adewunmi 44 years

    44. Isiola kazeem 30 years

    45. Ojo Moses 21 years

    46. Nzube Nwaenyi 22 years

    47. Kingsley Hosea 28 years

    48. John Christopher 22 years

    49. Saheed Lawal 34 years

    50. Chibuike Ogbor 31 years

    51. John Felix Adekanye 30 years

    52. Adekunle Peter 28 years

    53. Rilwan Babajide 18 years

    54. Bukola Oyekola 30 years

    55. Ubogu Kennedy 30 years

    56. Yusuf Lawal 25 years

    57. Olamide Wasiu 17 years

    58. Shares Isiaka 24 years

    59. Wisdom Edokpayi 34 years

    60. Duyilemi Micheal 34 years

    61. Ofen Francis 30 years

    62. Mukaila Babatunde 19 years

    63. Nwanga Sunday 28 years

    64. Chukwuma ifeadi 30 years

    65. Kareem Akeem 24 years

    66. Chibuzor Okonkwo 40 years

    67. Tosin Oluwadamilare 24 years

    68 Zakariyu Mohammed 29 years

    69. Olasunkanmi Akanbi 37 years

    70. Babatunde Olafusi 40 years

    71. Idowu Amuza 25 years

    72. Kehinde Oke 20 years

    73. Dayo Adegoke 20 years

    74. Nachi Emeka 18 years

    75. Akpede Isaiah 19 years

    76. Akpede Joshua 17 years

    77. Akanbi Afeez 18 years

    78. Tosin Oluwadamilare 24 years

  • Enforcement of COVID-19 Lockdown in Rivers and the Trial of Carveton Helicopter Pilots: Law and Reasoning may drown ego, By Achinike William-Wobodo

    Enforcement of COVID-19 Lockdown in Rivers and the Trial of Carveton Helicopter Pilots: Law and Reasoning may drown ego, By Achinike William-Wobodo

    I had resolved that throughout this trying times, I shall do everything not to compromise the actions of the Rivers State Governor in the fight of the Corona Virus by the tone of my criticisms and policy analyses. This is a resolve that I do not intend to take lightly. In the light of that therefore, I shall in few paragraphs call/appeal to the Attorney General, and indeed the Governor and Government, of Rivers State to review the ADJOURNMENT of the trial of the two Carveton Helicopter Pilots, whose case was adjourned to 19th May, 2020. I shall do so by posing some questions.

    For those who may not be aware, the facts were that two Pilots of Carveton Helicopter were arrested by the Rivers State Government Task Force on the Fight against Covid-19 for flying some expatriate workers in the Oil and Gas sector into Rivers State. The Pilots and expatriates claim to have work exemption permit to operate. They were arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court for “disobedience to order of Rivers State Government” among others. The Chief Magistrate remanded the pilots in prison custody till 19 May 2020, when their trial is to commence. Senior Law Enforcement Officials within and of the Rivers State were in Court during the arraignment, including the Officer in Charge (O/C) Legal, Rivers State Police Command and the Honorable the Attorney General of Rivers State. Note that my concern is not the propriety or otherwise of the defense of the pilots or how the Government decides to screen them, thus I refrain from commenting on those.

    As I have maintained, the Governor and his team have better facts to mine as far as the Covid-19 fight in Rivers State is concerned, therefore I shall concede to their answers without attempting any of the questions. However, I honestly seek clarification on the following questions:

    – What is the primary arm of the Executive Order made by the Government and the Social Distancing Policy?

    – What is the maximum term for the offense committed by the pilots (if such offense exists in Rivers State)? one month, years, life, death, fine, all?

    – Is not the period between 7th April (today) to 19th May when the case is adjourned to more than a month?

    – Might they be serving out the terms for the offense even before they are tried?

    – Is the duration for quarantine for a Covid-19 suspect not 14days?

    – Which is the Law and the section of which the Pilots violated by the “disobedience to order of Rivers State Government”?

    – Has the AG Rivers State the authority of the AG Federation to prosecute the federal offense?

    – Is the purpose of the enforcement to persecute offenders rather than to correct them and deter others?

    – Is the offense committed not a summary conviction offense which the magistrate is empowered and could hear evidence and dispense with within the same day or the day following, assuming they pleaded not guilty?

    – Were the Pilots remanded and in which facility? And if in any public holding facility, is it not likely they are risk to other inmates should they have Covid-19 or the others a risk onto them should they be clean?

    – Is this case a reaction of the Rivers State Government and to drive home “our” allegation that the Federal Government is “politicizing“ the fight against disease?

    – What is the reason, reasoning for adjourning the trial for more than one month, at this time?

    So many questions space will not permit me to ask. I do not know these men and I am not their Attorney. However, I appeal to the Honorable Attorney General of Rivers State, Prof. Zacheus Adango (my former teacher), as the Chief Law Officer of the State, to please put a human face to the enforcement of the Executive Order of the Governor. He should call for the review of the Adjournment date. It is consistent with good conscience, the policy of social distancing, the powers of the Attorney General and above all it is
    in the best interest of justice.

    Persecution breeds Resistance, Requital, Treachery; and these are not what the State need at this time. It will not augur well at a time like this

    Long Live Rivers State.

    Achinike William-Wobodo
    Lawyer & Public Policy Analyst
    Writing from Port Harcourt.

  • The lockdown has placed hardship on people- Zack Orji

    The lockdown has placed hardship on people- Zack Orji

    Veteran actor and Preacher, Zack Orji has averred that the sit-at-home directive introduced by the federal and state governments to combat spread of COVID-19 in the country has availed families the opportunity to bond.

    The revered actor also disclosed that the lockdown directive should not only be seen from a negative perspective.

    “The stay-at-home order has its own advantages and disadvantages, but the way I see it and the manner that the government is handling it matters a lot to many,” he said on Tuesday.

    “I believe parents, particularly career couples, are making the best use of the lock-down to rest, be with their children, look in and take care of something hitherto ignored in the home.

    “For me, it has availed me more opportunity of doing a lot of reading, doing some house chores, enter the kitchen and sweep it, which was not obtainable during busy days.”

    He also noted that the lockdown has indeed taken a huge toll on the masses, calling on the government to put in place palliatives to lessen its economic burden on Nigerians.

    “People are suffering from the lockdown because it has placed hardship on them; some of us have extended hands of fellowship on request, so the situation is telling on the people,” he said.

     

  • COVID-19: Abia extends lockdown for one week

    The Abia State Government has announced the extension of the ongoing lockdown directive in the state by seven days.
    Chris Ezem, Secretary to the State Government, said in a statement on Tuesday night that the extension would take effect from Wednesday.
    Ezem said the extension was necessitated to confirm that the state was indeed free of COVID-19 as the normal incubation period for the virus was 14 days.
    He said the state government was not unmindful of the hardship and inconvenience the situation had brought upon the people.
    According to him, it is better to live with temporary inconvenience than be exposed to the disease in search of comfort.
    He said that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control was still tracking over 2000 suspected cases of coronavirus across the country, and this was a time that called for extra vigilance.
    He said within the period, the Abia State Government would continue to distribute food items, sanitisers and face masks to the people.
    The SSG directed the enforcement teams at the state and local government levels and security agencies to continue the enforcement of the directives on lockdown.
    He also directed Transition Committee Chairmen of Local Government Councils and security operatives to remain vigilant.
    He added that the government was satisfied with efforts of the essential service providers, volunteers and security agencies and urged the people to remain law abiding.

  • COVID-19: FG reacts to Oyakhilome’s claims on 5G, lockdown of Lagos, Ogun, Abuja

    The Federal Government has described comment made by founder of Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome that the lockdown of Lagos and Abuja was to allow government secretly install 5G and not for Coronavirus, as disheartening.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Oyakhilome had in a TV interview said “5G is the reason the Federal Government has to lockdown Abuja and Lagos so the 5G could be installed. And there are other cities planned for and as I said before, what killed people in Wuhan, China is not the virus, it was the 5G. If you say it is not, tell us how you discovered yours.”

    But the National Orientation Agency, NOA, berated Pastor Oyakhilome for his comment, saying it was unfortunate.

    NOA’s spokesman, Paul Ogenyi said Oyakhilome’s claim that the lockdown ordered by the Federal Government in Lagos and Abuja was a mere ruse to lay fibre optic cables in preparation for the launch of 5G technology, was disheartening.

    Ogenyi said it was disheartening that while Pope Francis and other respected clerics worldwide were educating their followers on measures to fight COVID-19, Oyakhilome and his ilk were spreading speculations thereby misinforming the public.

    “It is very unfortunate that in this sensitive time some of our religious leaders are beginning to behave like they are uninformed. The Vatican has issued a directive that there should be no gatherings. The same has happened in Saudi Arabia.

    “Nigeria has witnessed five deaths and many infections. So, I appeal to religious leaders to seek information if they are not sure of the facts.

    “I am actually surprised that Pastor Oyakhilome is making this statement despite repeated clarifications by the Nigerian Communications Commission that 5G has nothing to do with coronavirus.

    “Is he saying the lockdown in the US and China is also because they want to lay 5G cables? If that is what he said then he is not informed and he needs to be educated. Nigeria needs to come together to fight this pandemic. It is real and we must fight it. If this kind of information continues to be disseminated, we will be the worse for it,” he lamented.

  • BREAKING: FG counters governors, says only Buhari can determine extension of lockdown

    BREAKING: FG counters governors, says only Buhari can determine extension of lockdown

    The Federal Government on Tuesday said only President Muhammadu Buhari can decide if the lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, over Coronavirus will be extended or not.

    Buhari had a week ago ordered total lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and FCT for 14 days to checkmate the spread of Coronavirus.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, who spoke in Marina, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, said only the president had the power to grant extension or not, but noted that Buhari did said the lockdown would be for 14 days in the first instance.

    He said the presidential taskforce had come to Lagos for a revaluation and report back to the president, adding that Buhari lockdown Lagos, Ogun and FCT based on advice from the Minister of Health.

    “It is only Buhari who can say that the lockdown will be extended or not. He did say during his address that Lagos, Ogun and FCT would be shutdown for 14 days in the first instance,” he said.

    According to him, if the objectives of the lockdown had been achieved, the presidential taskforce would report back to Buhari for him to take the necessary action whether to extend the lockdown or not, saying that would be done before the week ran out.

    Earlier, Mustapha in a briefing, said the taskforce was in Lagos to inspect facilities put in place by the government for the control of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

    He assured all Nigerians of the unwavering commitment of Buhari to this war against COVID-19 and his readiness to mobilize resources to achieve national objectives.

    He stated that it was not the desire of government to punish its citizen by restricting their movement, but rather out of the abundance of caution, that difficult decision was taken to save lives by preventing spread.

    “Reports have been received on the general level of satisfactory compliance in Lagos with the lockdown order and we have similarly received reports of violations. In this case, I commend the instant action taken by the Lagos State Government by prosecuting and convicting notable violators, which shows that nobody should be above the law.

    “In recognition of the impact of the lockdown order on the poor, physically challenged, the elderly and the vulnerable, Mr. President approved the release of 70,000 metric tons of grains from the strategic grains reserve. Out of this, about 6,800 will be distributed in Lagos, Ogun and FCT while the rest will be distributed to the 13 frontline states that have recorded cases of the COVID-19 disease. I assure you that the distribution of the Lagos state share will commence shortly.

    “Mr. President has similarly approved the payment of 2 months Conditional Cash Transfer to 2.6 million poor and vulnerable already registered in the social safety net program. On behalf of Mr. President, I wish to commend the government of Lagos State magnificently controlling the pandemic and for putting in place isolation centers, ICU facilities as well as establishing a wide network of contact tracing,” he said.

    Mustapha emphasised that the nation was at war with an unseen but very potent enemy and that to successfully prosecute this war, “we must own it, we must participate in it, we must create awareness, we must obey rules and regulations, we must stay at home when ordered and we must not conceal any information from the medical and disease control authorities.

    “One person who is infected in a community can endanger the entire community regardless of its size and status or position of the people living there. Coronavirus is real and dangerous. Let me appeal to Lagosians, indeed, all Nigerians to play our roles in defeating Coronavirus.

    “To win the war, we must abide by instructions to stay-at-home, maintain social distancing, personal hygiene and report all suspected cases to the designated health authorities.”

     

  • Google Community Mobility Report reveals response to lockdown in Nigeria

    Google Community Mobility Report reveals response to lockdown in Nigeria

    Google on Monday said that Data from its newly-released Corona Virus (Covid-19) Community Mobility Reports showed that traffic to transit, retail and recreation locations in Nigeria reduced in the wake of the lockdown.

    Jen Fitzpatrick, Google’s Senior Vice-President, Geo, said that traffic to transit locations, reduced by 34 pee cent and to retail and recreation locations by 39 per cent compared to baseline levels measured in January and February.

    Fitzpatrick said that the report, which showed data from March 29, revealed how citizens were visiting transit stations, work places, retail and recreation centers, parks, grocery stores and residentials in Nigeria.

    “We think these reports could support decisions about how to manage the COVID-19 pandemic while adhering to the stringent privacy protocols and policies.

    “Google has invested in this tool so that everyone could make use of it to quickly and easily understand relevant information to the community response to social distancing.

    “It is making any information shared tailored specifically to specific purpose.

    “Just like how people can use Google Maps to identify when a local business tends to be the most crowded, we’re using the same aggregated, anonymized data to provide high-level insights into what has changed.

    “Ultimately, understanding not only whether people are traveling, but also trends in destinations, can help officials design guidance to protect public health and essential needs of communities.

    ”And we will continue to evaluate these reports as we get feedback from public health officials, civil society groups, local governments and the community at large during these unprecedented times,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

    The Vice-President said that Google has been working on many ways to help respond to COVID-19, from providing authoritative info via Search, to supporting production of ventilators and personal protective equipment such as face-masks.

    She said that with no vaccine or proven treatment, social distancing is the primary way to flatten the curve.

    According to her, reports show that a third of the world’s population are under some kind of social distancing measures; through these reports, Google is providing insights into whether the guidance on social distancing is working.

    Fitzpatrick said in addition to the Community Mobility Reports, Google was collaborating with selected epidemiologists working on COVID-19 with updates to an existing aggregate, anonymized dataset that could be used to better understand and forecast the pandemic.

    She said that Google’s first ever COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports provided national trends for 131 countries, and are available to download in PDF format on the site.

    Each country report charts the percentage increase or decrease of movement across different high-level categories of places – such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

    The Federal Government of Nigeria had on March 29 issued a stay home order in Lagos, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Ogun to help curb the spread of Covid 19 in the country.

  • Kaduna govt threatens reverting to 24hrs lockdown

    Kaduna govt threatens reverting to 24hrs lockdown

    Kaduna State Government has threatened to review the ongoing lockdown, by closing the two-day window provided for residents to re-stock food supplies, if they continue flouting the quarantine law.
    The Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe who gave the warning on Monday in a statement said that Government has ordered security agents to deal decisively with violators henceforth.
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the state government had reviewed the 24 hour lockdown on April 1, by giving a two-day window of Tuesday and Wednesday every week, to enable residents buy food and other essential commodities.
    The statement was issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye and made available to newsmen in Kaduna.
    Balarabe said she was alarmed that some people took the Coronavirus disease for granted which explained why they are defying the lockdown.
    She said that the restriction of movement has been violated and threatened to revert to the 24 hour lockdown.
    She further said that the state Task Force on COVID-19 met with representatives of traders and resolved that foodstuff and essential commodities dealers are permitted to bring in and offload goods five times in a week.
    According to her, the days are; Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
    Balarabe warned that only food and essential commodities would be sold on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when the markets open, adding that “sellers of other merchandise are not included in the exemption.’’
    The deputy governor advised residents to shop only in markets within their neighbourhoods as going to far for commercial hubs are not allowed.
    She also urged traders and buyers to observe social distancing at the markets, warning that, “Kawo market will remain closed because it does not have space for social distancing.”
    She further cautioned traders against hiking prices of commodities during the emergency period, describing the practice as callous, unacceptable and inhuman.
    She said that the government would prosecute the people she referred to as ‘’unscrupulous traders’’ if they do not desist from the ungodly act.
    ‘’At this time, we will not just stand by and let a few elements add to the hardship already being faced because of selfishness,’’ she said.
    On palliatives, Balarabe said they are being distributed from clusters to households and in some local governments and that the target beneficiaries have already received deliveries.
    ‘’However, to ensure more transparency and accountability, the palliatives committee will work with credible Civil Society Organisations(CSOs), to monitor the distribution,’’ she added.
    Balarabe added that the administration has put robust system to check abuse and diversion of the essential commodities.
    ‘’Not withstanding, no system is completely foolproof and in any case, another layer of monitoring will only improve on what is on ground’’, the deputy governor argued.
    She urged those responsible for identifying vulnerable groups and persons within communities to do so in a manner that depicts fairness, honesty and sincerity of purpose.
  • BREAKING: Police Arrest Naira Marley, to be arraigned over lockdown violation

    BREAKING: Police Arrest Naira Marley, to be arraigned over lockdown violation

    Controversial music artiste Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, is back again in the custody of the Nigerian security operatives.

    He has been arrested by the Nigeria Police following his violation of lockdown order in Lagos.

    On Sunday, the singer had been ordered to appear before the Police on Monday following the arrest of the popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, who hosted a house party to mark her husband, JJC Skillz’s birthday in her house in Lagos on Saturday.

    The celebrity couple were arraigned and sentenced on Monday at Ogba Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos for violating both Federal and Lagos State directives on COVID-19 lockdown by hosting a party with more than 20 guests in attendance including popular politician, Babatunde Gbadamosi and Naira Marley.

    According to DSP Bala Elkana, Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, on Monday, Naira Marley has been arrested and he will also be charged to Court for violating the restriction orders.

    He said the Command has also launched a manhunt for the remaining persons who attended the party.

    Elkana stated that the Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu expressed his profound gratitude to Lagosians and other well-meaning Nigerians that speak up against the violations.

    “Together we can stop the spread of COVID-19,” the Lagos PPRO stated in a statement.

  • BREAKING: ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ actress, Funke Akindele, husband plead guilty

    BREAKING: ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ actress, Funke Akindele, husband plead guilty

    Popular actress, Funke Akindele and her husband, Abdul Rasheed Bello, have been arraigned by the Lagos State Government for violation of the lockdown order to check the spread of COVID-19

    The showbiz couple pleaded guilty to the one count charge filed against them by the Attorney General of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN).

    The proceedings are still on, while the public awaits the verdict of the magistrate.

    Details later…