Archbishop Samson Mustapha Benjamin, popularly called Jehovah Sharp-Sharp
COVID-19: Archbishop ‘Jehova Sharp-Sharp’ Gets N1m Bail Sum For Violating Lockdown Order
An Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, today, granted bail to Archbishop Samson Mustapha Benjamin of Resurrection Praise Chapel, popularly called Jehovah Sharp-Sharp, for violating the lockdown and Stay at Home directive of President Muhammad Buhari, amid the Corona Virus Disease.
The court presided by Chief Magistrate O. O. Oshin (Mrs) slammed the bail sum on the popular preacher, after he pleaded not guilty to the three counts charge made against him and two others, by the Lagos State’s Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Archbishop Samson was arraigned before that court alongside Jerry Abel and Johnson Benjamin, who were arrested with him on Tuesday, at the Chinese Embassy, where they had gone to protest alleged ill-treatment melted on Nigerians in China, despite the lockdown directive.
They were arraigned on charges bordering on violating the lockdown directive and conduct themselves in a act likely to cause breach of public peace.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Babajide Martins, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) are contrary to sections contrary to Regulations 1(1)(2) of Covid-19 Regulations 2020 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 5 Quarantine Act. Cap. Q2 Vol. 14, law of the federation of Nigeria, 2004, section 168(1)(2) and offence punishable under section 122 of Criminal law Cap. C17, Vol 3, laws of the Lagos State 2015.
And punishable under sections 112 and 168(2) of Criminal Law CAP C17 Vol. 3, Law of Lagos State, 2015
The three men pleaded not guilty to the charges after it was read to them.
Following their not guilty plea, their lawyer, E.O. Ogbeche and two others, pleaded with the court to admit bail to their clients in the most liberal terms, while assured the court of their presence till the matter is determined.
Ruling on the bail application, Chief Magistrate Oshin, admitted Archbishop Samson to bail in the sum of N1 million, while admitted the other two violators to bail in the sum of N500, 000 each.
She also asked all the violators to provide with two sureties in like sum. And that one of the sureties must be a Grade Level 14 officer in the appointment of Federal or Lagos State government, and that the other surety must be a cleric.
All the sureties are also ordered to produce evidence of three years tax payable to Lagos State government, evidence of means of livelihood and the must be residents of the State.
The matter has been adjourned till May 20, for trial.
Chief Magistrate Oshin ordered that the three violators be remanded in police custody pending when they will perfect the bail terms
Charges Against the Three Violators Read: “That you, Jerry Abel; Samson Mustapha Benjamin; Johnson Benjamin and other now at large, on April 21, 2020, at about 4.30pm, at Chinese Embassy, 161A, Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district, did breach the cessation movement and stay at home order made by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, contrary to Regulations 1(1)(2) of Covid-19 Regulations 2020 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 5 Quarantine Act. Cap. Q2 Vol. 14, law of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you, Jerry Abel; Samson Mustapha Benjamin; Johnson Benjamin and others now at large, on April 21, 2020, at about 4.30pm, at Chinese Embassy, 161A, Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district, did breach the cessation movement and stay at home order made by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, contrary to Regulations 1(1)(2) of Covid-19 Regulations 2020 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 122 of Criminal law Cap. C17, Vol 3, laws of the Lagos State 2015.
“That you, Jerry Abel; Samson Mustapha Benjamin; Johnson Benjamin and others now at large, on April 21, 2020, at about 4.30pm, at Chinese Embassy, 161A, Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district, did conducted yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace, contrary to section 168(1)(2) and punishable under section 168(2) of Criminal Law CAP C17 Vol. 3, Law of Lagos State, 2015”.
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