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Actress, Funke Akindele - Bello, and her husband, Abdul Rasheed Bello, were sentenced to 14 days of community service for violating the Lagos State Government's lockdown order to prevent further spread of the virus on Monday.
Those who attended the party were the likes of Azeez Fashola , aka Naira Marley, the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party in the state during the 2019 gubernatorial election, Babatunde Gbadamosi, and his wife and amongst others. But they had reported themselves at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba, and were detained.
The Attorney General of the state, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN ), vowed that all those , who attended the party, would be prosecuted.
Mrs Aje Afunwa of the Lagos State Magistrates ’ Court in Ogba, who pronounced the sentence on the Bellos, also imposed a fine of N100,000 each on the celebrity couple .
The magistrate, who also ordered that they should be placed in isolation, added that they must compile and submit the names and phone numbers of everyone , who attended the party.
The magistrate’s pronouncements followed the arraignment of the couple by the Lagos State Government for holding a birthday party attended by over 20 people in violation of the lockdown and social distancing order.
The one count filed against the couple read, “ That you, (1 ) Funke Akindele and (2) Abdul Rasheed Bello , on April 4, 2020, on Gbadamosi Close, Amen Estate, Ibeju - Lekki in the Lagos Magisterial District , gathered at the aforementioned with over 20 persons, contrary to the social distancing directive of Mr Governor of Lagos State, made pursuant to Regulation 8 (1 ) (a) and (b ) and 17(1 ) (i ) of the Lagos State Infectious Disease (Emergency Prevention) Regulation, 2020, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 58, Public Health Law , Cap P 16 Vol . 9 , Laws of Lagos State , 2015.”
Pronouncing the sentence, the magistrate said, “ The defendants shall pay a fine of N 100 ,000 within three days from today (Monday). They are to serve community service for a period of 14 days for three hours , from 9 am to 12pm daily, excluding Saturdays and Sundays. The community service shall be done in any public place in Lagos .
However, the trial of the couple and their sentencing, have, however, attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians . While some felt the drama surrounding the prosecution was unnecessary, others said the sentencing would serve as a deterrent to others.
A Twitter user , @ FestusGreen, called for the arrest of the Imam of the Agege Central Mosque , where over 300 worshippers violated the ban on the gathering of more than 20 people and allegedly attacked enforcement officers .
He tweeted , “ Who is the Imam of Agege Central Mosque? Why has he not been arrested for flouting the social distancing directives of @ followlasg? Are our laws selective? Is @followlasg afraid ? #funkeakindele # funkeakindelebello. ”
However, a Twitter user , @ LordBenyem, wrote about Gbadamosi before he reported at the SCIID , “ You went to greet Mr Bello because he and your wife share same birth month which is April is delusional. You hear social distancing and you are here saying this. Please I don ’t want to vex today. ”
Another user, @ Oluhill , tweeted , “ I like that his apologies were unreserved , but he was still wrong , he should also face the wrath of the law; if Funke was arrested, every adult in that party should also be arrested.”
Another Twitter user, @ DidiBiggs, wrote, “ I would not hold brief for him. He was out of line. Now that he is in self - quarantine, a fine should be given . All of them at the party need to self- isolate . ”
@LadyFat 59043142 tweeted , “ Such a huge disappointment …No excuses whatsoever for visiting at this time. He shouldn ’t even have been there no matter what and also should have left when it became a crowd. I haven ’t been to my neighbours ’ house since 14th of March. We chat on WhatsApp .”
A Twitter user, @Best _ bets, wrote , “ It would make more sense if his apology comes after a visit to Panti . Very reckless set of people . Whether his story aligns with Funke ’ s is not my problem, all I’ m saying is he should face the full wrath of the law alongside other suspects.”
Another Twitter user , @ OndoFirstBorn, however , called for the prosecution of corrupt politicians. He tweeted , “ Charged to court in less than 24 hours. If only the Government can keep the same energy they ’ve used to go after Funke Akindele to go after corrupt politicians , Nigeria would be better. # funkeakindelebello. ”
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