By Akinwale Kasali
After over three hours of legal proceedings at the Ogba Magistrate Court presided over by Justice Moyosore Onigbanjo, Funke Akindele Bello and her husband, Abdulrasheed Bello pleaded guilty to the One Count of violating government order of social distancing and lockdown, fined N100,000 each and sentenced to 14 days Community Service.
The Magistrate court sitting in Lagos having sentenced Nollywood actress Funke Akindele and her husband popularly known as JJC Skillz to 14 days community service each and are directed to pay a fine of N100,000 each.
Funke Akindele and husband to do community service for 14days, three hours per day, excluding Saturday and Sunday. They will also visit 10 important public places within Lagos State to educate the public on the consequences of non-compliance with the lockdown order. And, they must submit the names and phone numbers of everyone who attended the party. They are to be placed on isolation to determine their covid 19 status
The court also said that they will be isolation during their 14 days community service in a place to be determined by the state.
Before the Court verdict, there was a mild drama that ensued at the Ogba Magistrate Court Magistrates Court in Ogba, as court officials allegedly refused lawyers representing Nollywood actress Funke Akand her hubby access into the court room.
It however took the intervention of two of the family lawyers before they were finally allowed into the court room after heated argument.
The couple who are being arraigned for breaching the Lagos Infection Diseases Regulations 2020 (the Regulations) for holding a house party despite the lockdown at their Amen estate home on Saturday April 5th are said to be co-operating with Lagos state authorities on the matter.
As the court proceedings was ongoing, the Social Media was awashed with pleas from celebrities around yje country.
Celebrities took to social media to call for the release of Funke Akindele as she faces trial for hosting a party in defiance of lockdown orders in Lagos state.
Actress Uche Elendu appealed to the Lagos state government to release her for the sake of her twins. She wrote on Instagram; “Please release her i dont have any excuses to make for her cos the law is simple, No Social gathering !!!! but her humble and sweet spirit doesn’t deserve this arrest…We are Sorry on her behalf please @jidesanwoolu @balaelkana”
“She explained and apologised please listen and forgive, at least people ate food at the party, the people that clustered people to share 2 packs of indomie in the name of Quarantine relief were not arrested, Please Forgive her #freefunkeakindele
“Nigerians pls the same way you got her arrested through social media pls beg them to release her, her twins r crying#stayathome”
Actress Mary Njoku also criticized Funke’s arrest and asked if others who have held gatherings amid the lockdown have been arrested too.
She wrote, “Are all, I mean ALL the politicians, Pastors, Nigerians who have held parties, gatherings , photo sessions, rallies, and opening ceremonies in Jail? I am not making excuses for her Pls. Just asking. Cos if they are not…… Yes, She was wrong. Nobody is perfect. #releaseFunke. #SheIsSorry.”
