Lockdown: FCT Courts Convict Three Imams, Two Pastors, 68 Others

ABUJA – A mobile court sitting at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territo­ry (FCT), has convicted five clerics, among them three Imams and two pastors, for violating the presidential sit-at-home order.

They were convicted by Presiding Magistrate Idayat Akonni, who sen­tenced them to one month imprisonment with an op­tion of a fine of N5, 000, in addition to a supervised community service for one day.

Those convicted were Imam Abdullahi Moham­med of Gwarinpa Estate, Imam Suleiman Idris of Mobi Close, Area 11, Gar­ki, and Deputy Imam Useni Umar of the same address.

Others were Pastor Phil­lips Olumbori of Celestial Church of Christ, Lugbe, and Rev Moses Chinedu of Mercy City Gospel Centre, Aco Estate, Lugbe.

Speaking to newsmen after the court verdict, the chairman, FCT Ministerial Enforcement Task Team on COVID-19 Operations, Com­rade Ikharo Attah, hinted that various mobile courts which sat at different loca­tions within the territory convicted over 73 violators on Sunday.

On the judgment, he said: “The verdict, though mild, is a welcome devel­opment.

“Those sentenced should be worried because they are now ex-convicts, hav­ing been found guilty and sentenced by a competent court of law.”

Attah wondered why it had become very difficult for custodians and enforc­ers of divine laws to obey national laws that did not prohibit or infringe on their freedom of religion.