FG May Punish Nigerians Who Refused COVID-19 Vaccination

The Federal Government has stated that it is considering sanctioning eligible Nigerians who refused to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Speaking on Tuesday during a media briefing in Abuja, Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, said the decision will soon be taken following the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country.

The NPHDC boss added that the government may punish eligible Nigerians who refused to be vaccinated but put other people that have been vaccinated in danger.

Shuaib added that the Presidential Steering Committee and the Federal Ministry of Health are exploring ways of making vaccines more available to all Nigerians.

He said: “The Presidential Steering Committee and the Federal Ministry of Health is exploring ways of making vaccines more available to all Nigerians including federal civil servants and corporate entities.

“Once these vaccines are made equitably available to all Nigerians, then we would need to have a frank discussion about justice, fairness and liberty that exist around vaccine hesitancy.

“If some individuals refuse to take the vaccine, hence endangering those who have or those who could not due to medical exemptions, then we have to apply the basic rule of law which stipulates that your human right stops where mine begins.

“So, you have a right to refuse vaccines, but you do not have the right to endanger the health of others.”

Meanwhile, a federal high court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital has disagreed with Governor Godwin Obaseki on his decision to ban residents of the state who are yet to be vaccinated from entering public places.

The Court in its ruling on Tuesday in a suit with reference number: FHC/PH/FHR/266/2021 filed by Charles Osaretin told the Governor to stay action until some matters are settled.

Naija News recalls Obaseki had declared that starting from the second week of September, people in the state will be required to show their COVID-19 vaccination cards before gaining access to public spaces.

Following his declaration, Osaretin had taken the matter to court and urged the court through his lawyer, Echezona Etiaba (SAN) to prevail on the Governor to maintain the status quo.

After hearing the argument, a vacation judge, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam ruled that all parties should maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, for the enforcement of the applicant’s fundamental human rights.

The court also granted the request to serve the respondents by publishing the court’s processes in a national daily newspaper circulating in Nigeria.

The case has now been adjourned till September 10 for a hearing of the substantive motion.