It has been reported that over thirty defaulters have been arrested and arraigned before a Magistrate Court Sitting in Onitsha Magisterial District presided over by Mrs Ify Ogugua for not putting on face masks as directed by the State government.
The defaulters were arrested at different locations in Onitsha by the Anambra State COVID 19 Protocol Enforcement Team.
The team that embarked on the arrest in company of OCHA Brigade, ATMA, FRSC, Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, Police as well as Onitsha ASATU Youth Task Force Team, was led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security and Surveillance, Honorable Sam Onwuteaka Junior.
Speaking to the ABS during the exercise at Awka Road Onitsha, Honorable Onwuteaka disclosed that the State Government has passed a law on COVID 19 protocols that any defaulter be prosecuted hence the arrest and trial at the Mobile Court
Nose mask violators
Honourable Onwuteaka restated the determination of the State Government to rid the State of COVID 19. He called on Ndi Anambra to be conscious as the Virus is real, stressing the need for Ndi Anambra to adhere strictly to the COVID 19 measures put in place by the State government to avoid been arrested as the exercise will be a continuous one.
On his part, a member of the enforcement team, Honorable Samuel Ezenduka, stated that the lives and safety of Ndi Anambra are of utmost importance to the Obiano administration hence the directive to the enforcement team by the government to ensure that the State is safe from the Virus and advised the State citizenry to obey the protocols to the latter for the good of all.
One of the defaulters who have been tried and fined the sum of five thousand naira or to do a Community work for three days, Mr Ifeanyi Abali, regretted that he was arrested for not putting on face mask which according to him, is always in his pocket, noted that he was arrested at his workshop and promised from henceforth to always abide by the rules.
Another defaulter a keke rider, Mr Lucky Nwanja who was tried, discharged and acquitted, said he was arrested because one of his passengers was not putting on his face masks and enjoined Ndi Anambra to obey the COVID 19 protocols for their safety.
