Coronavirus: Nigeria court orders compulsory quarantine for 34 Lagos joggers

Nigeria’s commercial hub of Lagos is at the center of the country’s coronavirus combat. Lagos has the highest number of confirmed cases (as at April 4) and the state government has continued to roll out multiple measures to deal with the disease.

Lagos has in the past weeks suspended schools across the state – be they public or private, 70% of state government workers were asked to stay at home last week with the most recent move being a week’s closure of shops and markets.

The state, with a population of over 20 million, has also been a major beneficiary of coronavirus intervention funds. Governor BabaJide Sanwo-Olu late last week announced a stimulus package to benefit poor people.

Africanews will put a special spotlight on Lagos and major coronavirus developments coming from the state. Our main Nigeria COVID-19 updates page is also available.

A Magistrate Court in Lagos has sentenced over 30 lockdown flouters to fourteen-day quarantine and a month community service. Lagos is currently under a lockdown imposed by the federal government to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The group of 34 persons were arrested on Wednesday whiles participating in fitness exercise along a major expressway. The Lagos State government has also banned gatherings that exceed 20 people.

The court subsequently convicted them on a charge of working out in a group larger than 20 persons. They are to be quarantined at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Yaba or any government assigned facility, the ruling said.

Three of the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge. As of April 8 midday GMT, Nigeria has confirmed 254 coronavirus cases, 130 of which were in Lagos. 44 patients have since been discharged while five deaths have been recorded.

A court earlier this week convicted a popular entertainment couple for holding a party in their home despite the Lagos lockdown. Popular actress Funke Akindele’s Instagram post of the party triggered condemnation following which she was picked along with her husband.