By Mumini AbdulKareem
Popular Nollywood star, Funke Akindele and her husband, AbdulRasheed Bello were on Monday convicted by a Lagos Magistrate Court for violating the lockdown order of the State government.
Akindele popularly known as Jenifer and her musician hubby who is famous with the name JJC Skillz were convicted for staging a party at their residence in Lekky which video generated outrage for Nigerians after it went viral on Sunday.
They both pleaded guilty to the offences in court when the charges were read.
They were asked to pay a fine of 100,000 each, sentenced to 14 days community service, three hours per day, excluding Saturday and Sunday, each told to visit 10 important public places within Lagos State to educate the public on the consequences of non compliance with the restriction order and that they must submit the names and phone numbers of every person who attended the party.
Until her conviction, Akindele was an ambassador of the Dettol antiseptics product and ironically being used in various advertisements to sensitise citizens on hygiene especially during this period of corona virus.
The charges against them read thus: On 04/04/2020, the two accused persons held a party at their residents with over twenty persons in attendance contrary to the social distancing directives made in pursuant to Regulation 8(1)(a) and (b) & 17(1)(i) of the Lagos State Infectious Disease (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020 and therefore committed an offence under Section 58 of the Public Health Law Cap P16 Vol. 9, Laws of Lagos State 2015.
Meanwhile, Azeez Fashola (Naira Marley) who also attended the party is currently in Police custody and will also be charged to court for violating the restriction orders.
The Command said it has launched a manhunt for the remaining persons who attended the event.
