Funke Busari, Lagos
The owner of Play Empire Club, Owede Bruno on Wednesday was arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court for flouting COVID-19 rules in Lagos.
The 42-year-old defendant was arraigned on four-count charge bordering on harmful act and disobedience, disobeying government order concerning COVID-19 and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him by the Lagos State Government.
The Prosecutor, DSP A.A. Adegoke, informed the court during the arraignment that the defendant committed the offences on January 9, at Victoria Island, Lagos.
He alleged that the owner of Play Empire Club at Victoria Island had acted contrary to COVID-19 rules by organising night Disco, where a large number of people were in attendance.
He explained that the crowd did not maintain social distancing and were without their face masks which was in disobedience to the law put in place by the state government.
The alleged offences contravened Sections 123, 166, 168 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O.G. Oghre, granted the defendant bail in the sum of 2 million Naira with two sureties in like sum.
Magistrate Oghre ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show proof of tax payment to the state government for the last three years.
One of the sureties must be related to him by blood, and have landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The owner of the club was ordered to take a COVID-19 test and present before the court within seven days.
Case have been adjourned till March 16 for mention.
