Woman Arrested For Not Wearing Face Mask Collapses In Courtroom During Trial

Tolupe Olagunju, a woman who stood on trial before the Osun State Magistrate’s Court In oshogbo for not adhering to COVID’19 safety rules, fell while the court session was going on.

Olagunju was indicted with an emigrant, Elisan Mohammed, and 54 others were also arrested for not putting on a face mask as instructed by the govt to curtail the spread of the virus.

After her charge was read, Olagunju, who was standing near the dock, fell and was helped to a seat inside the court by another defendant.

Addressing the court, the police prosecutor, Mr. Adekunle Adeniyi, said the 56 defendants on August 4, 2020, at 11.30 am engaged in conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace by not following laid down guidelines in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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He said the offense was contrary to and punishable under Section 249(d)(3) of the Criminal Code Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

The prosecution also accused one of the defendants, Siju Ajewole, of obstructing the cause of justice by resisting lawful arrest and assaulting an NCDC officer, Mrs. Fadare Grace.

All the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges.

The defense counsel, Najite Okobe, imploy the court to warn and discharge them.

The Magistrate, Mr. Adebayo Ajala, convicted the 56 defendants and sentenced 53 of them to two hours of community service without an option of fine.

Ajala also sentenced Ajewole, who was arraigned for assault, to extra two hours of community service or an option of N2,000 fine.

He, however, cautioned and discharged Olagunju, a pregnant woman, and one Damilare Ajani, on medical grounds.