Lockdown: Man jailed in Osun for breach of public peace, possession of cannabis

A man has been remanded in prison over alleged breach of public peace and disobedience to the stay-at-home directive in Osun State to curtail spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court on Monday tried Amolese Afeez, 20, on a four-count charge of disobedience, breach of public peace, possession of cannabis sativa and assault.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on April 1, about 10:30 am at Gantry Area, Olode, in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun.

Osanyintuyi said that the defendant disobeyed the order of the state government for residents to “Stay-at-home” to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He alleged that the defendant also conducted himself in a manner that caused breach of public peace by instigating members of the public to disobey the government directive.

He said Afeez at Gantry Area, Olode resorted to announcing to the public that Osun State government had no right to order a “Stay-at-home” directive.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendant unlawfully had in his possession a substance suspected to be marijuana, which weighed 15Kgs.

He alleged that the defendant assaulted one Femi Adebayo, a Vigilante personnel, by punching his face, which caused Adebayo an injury.

Osanyintuyi stated that the offences contravened sections 3, 4, 203 and 249(D) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.