Coronavirus lockdown violators to face jail term as Lagos assembly passes new law

Members of the Lagos State Assembly on Thursday March 26, passed the “Emergency Coronavirus Pandemic Bill 2020” personally sponsored by Speaker of the house Mudashiru Obasa, into law.

The bill which was passed into law, gives Governor Sanwo-Olu the legal backing to spend an initial N20 billion to effectively contain coronavirus and enforce compliance on Lagosians. It also stipulates a fine of N100,000 for defaulters, one month imprisonment in the correctional centre or three months community service. Where the offence is not spelt out, it attracts a N200,000 fine.

It reads;

“The Bill empowers the Governor to incur the Kick-off expenditure sum of N20 billion to combat and stop the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The Governor in combating the Coronavirus pandemic shall declare a state of emergency in the State to protect the people of the State from the pandemic.

“The Bill calls for a Trust Fund named Coronavirus Pandemic Trust Fund with a board to manage this, but supervised by the Executive. The Trust fund shall consist of funds and material donations from individuals, private and public organizations.

“As from the commencement of this law, only essential services such as food supply, pharmacy, shops, water supply, petrol filling Stations and other relevant agencies shall be in full operations unless the Governor declares otherwise.

“All security agencies in the state including the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency shall effectively ensure that policy directives of the Governor are implemented and enforced.

“Where there is a violation of a close down or stay at home order, security Agencies shall have the power to arrest without warrant and may detain any person who violates the close down or stay at home order for at least 48 hours.

“Where the arrested person is found guilty, the person is liable to a fine of N100,000.00 or one month imprisonment or three months Community service.”

The bill which was passed into law also allows the leadership of the various arms of government to structure their own restriction format.

Lagos currently has 44 confirmed cases of coronavirus.