COVID-19: Two Pastors Arraigned For Holding Service

The Kaduna State government has arraigned two Clergymen, Ifeanyi Ojonu and Giniki Okafor before a Chief Magistrate Court in the state for violating the Quarantine Law of the state by holding church services.

The duo was arrested at Sabon Tasha area of Chikun Local Government by security agents and arraigned on charges of Criminal Conspiracy and Disobedience to an Order duly promulgated by a Public Servant, under section 59 and 115 of the Penal Code.

A statement issued by Samuel Aruwan
Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs on Tuesday, said since the government declared the state a Public Health area and Coronavirus (COVID-19), a dangerous infectious disease 12 days ago, there have been various forms of violations of the Quarantine Law.

Restriction of movement, the statement said, were flouted by many residents and commercial hubs operated illegally, forcing the state government to consider closing the two-day window provided for residents to re-stock food supplies, if the people continue disobeying the Quarantine Law.

According to the statement, the government wished to reiterate that nobody was above the law and everyone wad equal in the eyes of the law.

It added that the Quarantine Law would be applied without fear or favour, until the lockdown is duly lifted.

Part of the statement reads: “However, the religious community has substantially complied with the lockdown as Muslim daily congregational prayers, including Jumma’at prayers, have been suspended. Likewise, church services have not been held.

“The Government commends religious and traditional rulers for sensitizing their followers about the dangers of COVID-19, by asking them to obey the lockdown order as a religious obligation.

“In spite of this sermon, some Muslim clerics held congregational prayers on March 27th, 2020, at Unguwar Kanawa and Malali areas of Kaduna North Local Government. They were promptly arrested and subsequently arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court on March 30th, 2020, to demonstrate Government’s determination to prosecute violators of the Quarantine Law.

“Apparently, some clergymen mis-read Government’s strong signal, as they flouted the law and disobeyed the warning of various leaders of faith, by holding church service.” the statement said.

The statement finally called on residents to report any infringement of fundamental human rights by either security agents or government officials, “by calling these dedicated telephone numbers (09034000060, 08170189999) to complain.”