The Lagos State assembly has passed a new law stating that lockdown violators are to face a jail term or get fined.

This is in a bid to control the spread of the covid-19 in the state.

Lagos is the epicenter of covid-19 in Nigeria with over 40 confirmed cases.

“Emergency Coronavirus Pandemic Bill 2020” was personally sponsored by Speaker of the house Mudashiru Obasa, into law.

This law gives  the Governor Sanwo-Olu the legal backing to spend an initial N20 billion to effectively contain coronavirus and enforce compliance on Lagosians.

The law reads ;

“The Bill empowers the Governor to incur the Kick-off expenditure sum of N20 billion to combat and stop the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The Governor in combating the Coronavirus pandemic shall declare a state of emergency in the State to protect the people of the State from the pandemic.

“The Bill calls for a Trust Fund named Coronavirus Pandemic Trust Fund with a board to manage this, but supervised by the Executive.

The Trust fund shall consist of funds and material donations from individuals, private and public organizations.

“As from the commencement of this law, only essential services such as food supply, pharmacy, shops, water supply, petrol filling Stations and other relevant agencies shall be in full operations unless the Governor declares otherwise. 

“All security agencies in the state including the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency shall effectively ensure that policy directives of the Governor are implemented and enforced.

“Where there is a violation of a close down or stay at home order, security Agencies shall have the power to arrest without warrant and may detain any person who violates the close down or stay at home order for at least 48 hours.

“Where the arrested person is found guilty, the person is liable to a fine of N100,000.00 or one month imprisonment or three months Community service.”