Africa Update has received reports about the arrest of over two hundred persons by security operatives in different parts of Rivers State, for allegedly violating the 24 hour curfew imposed by the State Government.
The suspects were arrested according to reports between Monday and Thursday, April 2, and were charged to court on Thursday, with three count charge which reads that you……and others now at large, on the 31st day of March 2020 at Diobu Port Harcourt within the Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit misdemeanor to wit: Disobedience to lawful order issued by constituted authority, following the directive of the Governor of Rivers state, for the prevention of the spread of corona virus pandemic and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 517A of the criminal code cap: 37, vol. 11 Law of Rivers state of Nigeria, 1999.
Count 2 : that you …… and others at large, following the order of Governor of Rivers state on the prevention of the spread of corona virus pandemic on the same date and place at the aforesaid Magisterial District did Intentionally disobey the lawful order issued by the Governor of Rivers state on twenty four hour restriction of movement from Education Bus stop to Agip Junction, Port Harcourt, wherein you went on trading, loitering and or engaging yourselves in other social activities prohibited by government within the said time and place and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 203 of the criminal code Law of Rivers state of Nigeria, 1999.
Count 111: that you…….. and others at large, following the order of Governor of Rivers state on the prevention of the spread of corona virus pandemic on the same date and place at the aforesaid Magisterial District did Intentionally disobey the lawful order issued by the Governor of Rivers state on twenty four hour restriction of movement from Education Bus stop to Agip Junction, Port Harcourt, wherein you went on trading, loitering and or engaging yourselves in other social activities prohibited by government within the said time and place in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under the section 249(d) of the criminal Code Law of Rivers state of Nigeria, 1999
The suspects who were arraigned before three magistrates, Dr Rita Oguguo, Chief Magistrate DD Ihua-Maduenyi and senior Magistrate V E Nweke in their various courts, were granted bail, with N10,000 fine to those who pleaded guilty, while those who pleaded not guilty were granted bail with N100,000 with two Sureties as their Sureties addresses be verified by the prosecutors, and the case was adjourned to 6th of April for definite hearing.
