Owede Bruno, the owner of Play Empire Club in Victoria Island, has been brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court for flouting COVID-19 rules in Lagos state.
The 42-year-old man was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on harmful act and disobedience, disobeying government order concerning COVID-19 and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace before Chief Magistrate, Mrs O.G. Oghre.
The Prosecution counsel, led by A.A. Adegoke told the court that the defendant committed the offences on January 9, at Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mr. Bruno had allegedly acted contrary to COVID-19 rules by organising night parties, with a large number of people in attendance.
The DSP claimed that the crowd did not maintain social distancing and didn’t wear face masks which broke the COVID-19 regulations put in place by the state government.
The offences, he added, contravened Sections 123, 166, 168 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Bruno pleaded not guilty.
Bruno was granted a bail of N2 million naira (with 2 sureties in like sum), by Chief Magistrate Oghre.
She ordered that the sureties be gainfully employed and show proof of tax payment to the state government in the last three years.
In addition, one of the sureties must be a relation of the defendant and have landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The defendant was ordered to take a COVID-19 test and present the result before the court within seven days.
The case continues on March 16.
