Covid-19 Index Case: Lockdown Law Breakers To Face Arrest, Prosecution - Oghenesivbe.

"The Stay-at-Home order currently in force is a serious business which requires total compliance by all citizens, except those on essential and compulsory duties"..... Oghenesivbe

...Says Hon Eric Oharisi's Re-Election Victory Responsible For Unwarranted Attacks Via Coronavirus Propaganda.


Executive Assistant on Communications to the Governor of Delta State, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has again re-echoed the state government's position, saying that the Stay-at-Home order currently in force is a serious business which requires total compliance by all citizens, except those on essential and compulsory duties.

The EA Communications in a statement made available to newsmen in Asaba on Thursday 9th April 2020, posited that the State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has demonstrated leadership by example, by not travelling within and outside the state; which is why Deltans must of a necessity emulate him by complying with the stay at home order.

Oghenesivbe said the state Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Marshall Umukoro, constituted three Chief Magistrate Courts, one in each senatorial districts to adjudicate on criminal cases emanating from the state Lockdown, adding that the courts were also empowered to operate as mobile courts to facilitate dispensation of justice.

"My Lord the Chief Judge, took proactive steps by constituting three Chief Magistrate Courts, one in each senatorial district to hear and determine cases emanating from the 14 days stay at home order, with effect from 1st April, 2020.

"Citizens are to adhere strictly to the stay at home order so as to enable government achieve its goals of preventing and combating the Corona virus pandemic in the State. The governor's strategic step is for public good which include; social distancing, regular washing of hands with soap and running water, frequent use of hand sanitizers and face masks", Oghenesivbe said.

The Governor's Executive Aide further  disclosed that with the confirmation of Covid-19 Index case in the state, security personnel are expected to intensify enforcement to enhance compliance while the Police and prosecutors are to bring charges against offenders at designated Courts in Asaba, Ughelli and Warri, based on subsisting laws and executive orders.

He said the false news on social media which named a serving law maker in the state, Honourable Eric Oharisi, as the confirmed Covid-19 index case, was the handiwork of some opposition party members who are envious of the reelection victory of the vibrant Ughelli Prince.

"It is obvious that Prince Oharisi was a victim of politics of bitterness and black propaganda, capable of invoking criminal prosecution against the offender who unlawfully disclosed the health status of another without his consent, and it turned out that the disclosure was a deliberate falsehood, a figment of the offender's imagination.

"It is the law that before anyone can disclose the health status of another, his or her consent must be obtained, otherwise such unauthorised disclosure amounts to illegal invasion of privacy which is actionable in both criminal and civil jurisdictions.

"It is more pathetic when the offender happens to be a lawyer and Minister in the Temple of Justice. Prince Oharisi is a perfect gentleman which was why he took the criminal act with a pitch of salt and accepted the apology made by the fellow who goofed by unlawfully meddling into the privacy of the peace loving legislator.

"Opposition politics should not distort one's sense of reasoning to the extent of invading peoples' privacy. Prince Oharisi is a good example of a political actor with pleasant personality as can be seen from his polite and responsible reactions to the fake news concocted to ridicule his enviable political status by detractors.

"It must be stated that the peddling of such degree of falsehood amounts to gross misconduct unbecoming of a legal practitioner. There are evidence to show through the Facebook account of the peddler that he is a London based legal practitioner, a Nigerian citizen and a member of the All progressives Congress, APC.

"The Covid-19 Index Case is receiving attention and the state governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and the government will continue to do the needful to ensure the safety and good health of all Deltans," Oghenesivbe assured.