Legal practitioner faults Lagos Government State over Funke Akindele

Mr. Olatunde Adejuyigbe, a Lagos based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has faulted the Lagos State Government’s punishment meted to star actress Funke Akindele and her hubby, after they breached the lockdown order to hold a in-house birthday shindig with more than 20 people in attendance.

The actress had organized the party for her husband, JJC, while other entertainers including controversial singer, Naira Marley were present. The latter is currently in police custody.
An ex-Lagos guber aspirant, Babatunde Gbadamosi, who attended the party has also been arrested.

However, while faulting the decision of the Magistrate Court that ordered Funke Akindele and her husband to pay a fine of N100,000 each and also embark on compulsory community service, Mr Adejuyigbe described it as “an overkill and contrary to law.”

He argued that “The punishment prescribed by law is one month imprisonment OR a fine in the sum of N100,000. It is wrong to impose a community service in addition to the fine.

“There’s no statutory support for the order compelling them to observe self-isolation for 14 days more so no evidence was led that they are Covidians.

“In the administration of criminal justice the Court cannot impose any penalty not backed by law. The sentence imposed by the Court is excessive and tantamount to a travesty of justice. The trial court having demonstrated symptoms of overzealous infection should be quarantined forthwith.”