Woman Slumps While Facing Trial For Face Mask Violation In Osun

One of the Osun State citizens recently arrested for breaching the Coronavirus protocols, Tolulope Olagunju, reportedly slumps while standing trial before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court in Osogbo.

Naija News learnt that the Olagunju was arrested alongside 55 others in Osogbo, the state capital for going about in the public without wearing their face masks.

Olagunju who was arraigned alongside an expatriate, Elisan Mohammed, and others on Tuesday reportedly slumped during the court session just after her charge was read. However, she was helped back to the seat by another defendant, Naija News learnt.

Speaking before the court, the police prosecutor, Mr Adekunle Adeniyi, told the court that “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.”

According to Adeniyi, “the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 249(d)(3) of the Criminal Code Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.”

He also alleged that one of the defendants, Mr Siju Ajewole, had obstructed the cause of justice by resisting lawful arrest and assaulting an NCDC officer, Mrs Fadare Grace.

On his part, the defence counsel, Najite Okobe, begged the court to caution and discharge the arrested citizens as all of them pleaded guilty to the charges.

However, the Magistrate, Mr Adebayo Ajala in his ruling convicted the defendants and sentenced 53 of them to two hours of community service without an option of fine, while Ajewole who was arraigned for assault was sentenced to extra two hours of community service or an option of ₦2,000 fine.

He, however, cautioned and discharged Olagunju, a pregnant woman, and one Damilare Ajani, on health grounds, Naija News understands.

In another news, a cat arrested and detained at Sri Lanka’s main prison for allegedly been used to smuggle hard drugs has fled from his cell.

Naija News learned that other items such as cell phone SIM cards were also recovered from the cat’s body as they were tied around his neck.