COVID-19 LOCKDOWN: NSCDC KADUNA DRAGS THREE PERSONS BEFORE MOBILE COURT..... Secures Conviction

"Consequently, they have been convicted and sentenced to pay fine of N14, 000 each failure of which they shall be subjected to hard labour for a period of one month"... NSCDC Kaduna.

"This is the height of highhandedness by those charged with implementing justice", Comrade Aliyu Mukhtar.

"We must be human in our actions and not see this pandemic as an opportunity to punish the citizens further".... Obadiah, a youth leader cautions.


With the restriction order imposed in several states of the federation and the establishment of Mobile Courts to prosecute erring residents, the Kaduna State Command of the NSCDC has secured the conviction of the persons.

This follows on the heels of the lockdown of movements in Kaduna state, occasioned the outbreak of corona virus pandemic since February 27.

A statement by ASC Orndiir Terzungwe, Command Spokesman on behalf of the Kaduna state Commandant, Babangida Abdullahi Dutsinma, revealed that three persons have been prosecuted for violation of government’s directive.

According to the statement, "In a case: NSCDC versus Saidu Zakari Yau and two others, with a Case No: KMD/27/XB/2020, a Mobile Court sitting in Kaduna ruled in favour of the Corps.
The trio were said to have committed an offence of criminal conspiracy and disobedience to order of movement".

The statement further revealed that, "consequently, they have been convicted and sentenced to pay fine of N14, 000 each failure of which they shall be subjected to hard labour for a period of one month".

He noted that today’s conviction has brought to five, the number of suspects convicted by the command since the commencement of the lockdown in the state in March this year.

Reacting to the ruling of the Mobile Court put in place to ensure full compliance with restriction of movement’s directive by the state government, State Commandant of NSCDC, Babangida Abdullahi Dutsinma, expressed readiness to work in synergy with all agencies of government in maintaining law and order.

Dutsinma therefore urged residents of the state to obey all lawful orders, reiterating his desire to sanction any erring individual(s) or group(s).

The Commandant however, noted with satisfaction  the conduct of most residents even as he decried the attitude of few others whose desire if unchecked, will flout government's directives of obeying social distancing, personal hygiene and use of face masks to curtain increasing cases of Corona Virus Disease.

However, some stakeholders have condemned the conviction even as they note that the law is meant to be obey but, stressed that the fine was to harsh even if it is to serve as deterrent.

Comrade Aliyu Mukhtar in his reaction, wondered where the convicted persons would get such an amount especially in this present stifling financial crises that has seen many protests the lockdown.

Mukhtar, who is an activist and social crusader, said this conviction by the mobile court will further pitch the people against government no matter how well intentioned the order might be.

In defense of the citizens, Comrade Aliyu noted that the fine is not supposed to be harsh but a punitive one that can be easily afforded and certainly not to further impoverish the people. 

"Where on earth has such fines been slammed on the citizenry for flouting a stay at home order, social distancing or any other law. This is the height of highhandedness by those charged with implementing justice", an obviously bitter Mukhtar said.

James Obadiah, a youth leader in the state, described the conviction as another joke of the century even as he wondered how persons violating a law will be asked to pay #14,000 as fine or as an alternative, made to serve term with hard labour.

"This people only want to create more problems for the state governor who is doing an excellent job in containing the spread while also delivering on his electoral promises".

"Are they trying to become a revenue earning agency for the state government? In times like this, offenders are made to pay fines that will not further cause the people to protests the lockdown. We must be human in our actions and not see this pandemic as an opportunity to punish the citizens further", Obadiah counselled.

Comrade Aliyu Mukhtar however enjoined the people to obey the laws of the government and warned that "the Coronavirus is real and not something people should take for granted".

On his part, Obadiah advised people to, as much as possible, avoid loitering around as their communities and should only go out where and when it is extremely important.

"We are all aware that there is hunger but we should also realize that there is a rampaging pandemic on the loose without regards to your status, calling or placement in society. Let's abide with the laws on restriction of movement. We must support the el-Rufai administration in fighting this scourge".