Nollywood actress and producer, Funke Akindele, is to be charged to court in Lagos, following a violation of the restriction orders in the state as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Also being charged to court by the police command in Lagos, is Akindele’s husband, AbdulRasheed Bello popularly known as JJC Skillz, who turned himself in after an order was issued that he makes himself available.
The couple had both violated restriction and lockdown order in the state on Saturday by organizing an house party to mark JJC Skillz’s 43rd birthday.
The video of the event which went viral on Sunday showed JJC Skillz and his wife alongside a large number of persons dancing to Naira Marley’s song, who was also present at the event that took place at an estate along Ajah in the Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.
As a result, celebrity couple came under heavy censure from Nigerians, who described their actions as “irresponsible”and “insensitive”, for exposing people to the danger of Coronavirus.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Lagos, Bala Elkana, had confirmed the Nollywood star’s arrest on Sunday.
The command’s spokesman revealed that police detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Yaba were promptly drafted to the location where the actress was arrested.
He noted that the police had commenced investigation while making efforts to arrest other persons identified in the video.
Elkana asked the JJC Skillz and Naira Marley to report at the State CID Yaba on Monday in their interest or risk being declared wanted.
Having complied with the order on Monday, the police proceeded to charge JJC Skillz and his wife Funke Akindele for violating the lockdown order.
The couple are to be charged at the Magistrate Court 1 in Ogba.
According to the police spokesman, this will be the test run for the new law recently passed by the State Assembly and signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Attorney General is expected to be in court since they (Funke Akindele and her Husband) are the first to be apprehended for flouting the restriction law.
In accordance with the provisions of the law, the couple may be sentenced or have an option of fine.
The bill recommends a fine of N100,000 for defaulters, one-month incarceration in the correctional centre or three-month community service.
There is also a clause that could see offenders pay up to N200,000.
Funke Akindele after series of backlash from the viral video and before her arrest tendered a visual apology, however, this gesture did not douse the debate stirred by her actions, given her position in the society.
