A Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos, on Saturday evening, granted bail to ace comedian Debo Adebayo popularly known as Mr Macaroni and 39 other protesters arraigned before it by the Nigerian Police.
Some of the protesters include Answer Harrison, Adekanbi Kayode, Yemi Orungbamila, Anjorin Joseph, Paul Terkuma, Dayo Keshinro, Belema Briggs, Olanrewaju Olonta, among others.
The charge sheet reads, “Count 1, that you the above-named defendants on February 13, 2021, at Lekki Toll Plaza in the Yaba Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit a misdemeanour likely to cause a breach of the peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 412 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
“Count 2, that you the above-named defendants on February 13, 2021, at Lekki Toll Plaza in the Yaba Magisterial District in a public space gathered yourselves to harass and cause unnecessary alarm and panic in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 168 (1)(e) and punishable under section 168 (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
“Count 3, that you the above-named defendants on February 13, 2021, at Lekki Toll Plaza in the Yaba Magisterial District did fail to comply with the restriction/ prohibition Quarantine law which prohibit any social gathering to avoid spreading and contracting of coronavirus and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 5 of the Quarantine Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004 and domesticated under Public Health Law of the Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
Confirming the report, spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement issued on Saturday evening, said, “The command has arrested forty (40) suspects at Lekki Toll Gate plaza, Lagos State, on Saturday 13th February, 2021, for conspiracy, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and violation of COVID-19 protocols.
“The suspects had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate plaza creating tension and behaving in such a manner that could cause breach of public peace without due regard for COVID-19 protocols major of which are use of nose masks and social distancing.
“The command has, however, arraigned the suspects today to the mobile court at Panti, Yaba accordingly but were however granted bail by the court.
“They will appear in court on the next date of adjournment, 2nd March, 2021, with the certificate of COVID-19 test.
“The command therefore assured the general public that it will always discharge its statutory duties as expected within the ambit of the law, while appealing to Lagosians to be law-abiding and go about their lawful businesses.”
