COVID-19 Taskforce arraigns 12 for protocol violation, seals parks

COVID-19 Taskforce arraigns 12 for protocol violation, seals parks

Twelve people have been arraigned in court over COVID-19 safety protocols’ violations in Abuja the FCT.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) COVID-19 Taskforce who carried out the arraignment also sealed up four parks and gardens.

FCT COVID-19 Taskforce Head, Media and Enlightenment, Comrade Ikharo Attah, explained that the order to seal up the four gardens for a period of two weeks was issued by an FCT Mobile Court.

The parks and gardens are Byuan Resources Ltd Resort, Skychef Park and Garden, 7th Option Park and Leisure Service all in Garki II, and Eden Park and Garden, Utako.

He said the parks and gardens had contravened the Presidential Task Force ( PTF ) on COVID-19 regulations, regarding operation of bars, night clubs, gardens and the likes.

“We went out just before Christmas celebration and met some parks violating COVID-19 regulations and we did our operation.

“Because we are enforcement officers and not the judge, we arrested and took them to the judge through our prosecutor and the judge found them guilty. The judge gave those arrested the option of fine, and gave seal up order for the four parks and gardens affected.

“What we observe is that most of them operate beyond the period. The persons who were in the shops didn’t comply with physical distancing. Face masks wasn’t there at all and no hand washing points.

“They were totally in breach of the COVID-19 protocol and the judge in his wisdom, Magistrate Egbe Arafe issued seal off order for two weeks.

“After that two weeks, we will now come back to the court and continue the trial.”