Popular Music Star, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley alongside a former Gubernatorial aspirant, Babatunde Gbadamosi have both written apology letters to the Governor of Lagos State over their recent violation of the social-distancing directive issued by the state.
Gbadamosi and Fashola attended a house party organized by Actress, Funke Akindele and her husband, JJC Skillz. The party was in violation of the ban on social gatherings put in place by the Lagos state government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Akindele and her husband have since been sentenced to weeks of Community service and N100,000 fine each.
Both men have also been placed in Self-Isolation and will be monitored by Lagos State Health officials for Two weeks. Below is a transcript of Fashola and Gbadamosi’s letters.
9th April 2020
The Executive Governor of Lagos State
Through the Office of the Attorney General of Lagos State
Ministry of Justice
State Secretariat, Alausa
Ikeja, Lagos
Letter of Apology
1, Azeez Fashola of [Address redacted] on wish to state as follows:
1. On Monday 6 April 2020, 1 submitted myself for questioning and was detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti Lagos State after my statement was taken and thereafter released on administrative Police bail on Tuesday 7″ April 2020 on allegations that I violated the Social Distancing Directives of the Government of Lagos State pursuant to the Infectious Diseases Regulation of Lagos State, 2020 and the Quarantine Act, Cap Q 2 Volume 14, Laws of the Federation.
2. On Wednesday 8 April 2020, 1 was brought before the Magistrate Court of Lagos State, in the Ogba Magistrate Court District, before Magistrate Y.O Aje-Afunwa sitting in Magistrate Court No 1 in respect of Charge Sheet No MIK/A/44/20200n four counts against me and two other persons.
3. On the day under reference, Mr Y. G Oshoala the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions who personally appeared on behalf of Lagos State withdrew all the ‘above charges against me based on the agreement of my Legal Counsel, Miss Damilola Ayinde Marshal that I would personally:
a. tender in writing, an apology to the Government of Lagos State regarding the violation of the Social Distancing Directives of the Governor that | was charged for;
b. undertake to observe, obey and comply with all regulations and directives of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari as well as those of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu specifically on social distancing that generally seeks to curb a virus in Nigeria and Lagos State in particular;
C. undertake to be in self-isolation in my house at the above address for period of 14 (fourteen) days.
4. Pursuant to the above, I hereby declare and state as follows:
a. That I hereby apologise unreservedly to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the good people of Lagos State in any manner that I may have violated the Social Distancing Regulations and stay-home
order of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Governor of Lagos State, as same was not done as a result of deliberate disrespect to their persons, authorities and governments,
b. As a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria, I undertake to observe, obey and fully comply with all regulations and directives of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhamadu Buhari as well as regulations
and directives of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on social distancing of people specifically, that generally seek to curb the spread of the Corona-virus in Nigeria and In Lagos State in particular;
c. That I agree to be in self-isolation in my house at the above address for a period of 14 (fourteen) days commencing from today, Thursday 9th April 2020 and that the Lagos State Ministry of Health should supervise my isolation.
SIGNED
Azeez Fashola
Read Mr. Gbadamosi’s Letter below;
9th April 2020
The Executive Governor of Lagos State
Through the Office of the Attorney General of Lagos State
Ministry of justice
State Secretariat, Alausa
Ikeja, Lagos
Letter of Apology
I, Babatunde Gbadamosi of [Address redacted], Ibeju Lekki Local Government, Lagos State, wish to state as follows:
1. On Monday 6” April 2020, | was arrested by Officers of the Nigerian Police Force, after which | was interrogated, made to write a written statement and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Lagos State, on Monday 6″ April 2020 and released on administrative Police bail on Tuesday 7” April 2020 on allegations that | violated the Social Distancing Directives of the Government of Lagos State pursuant to the Infectious Diseases Regulation of Lagos State, 2020 and the Quarantine Act, Cap Q2 Volume 14, Laws of the Federation.
2. On Wednesday 8” April 2020, I was brought before the Magistrate Court of Lagos State, in the Ogba Magistrate Court District, before Magistrate Y.0 Aje-Afunwa sitting in Magistrate Court No 1 in respect of Charge Sheet No MIK/A/44/2020 on four counts against me and two other persons.
3. On the day under reference, Mr Y. G Oshoala the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions who personally appeared on behalf of Lagos State withdrew all the above charges against me based on the agreement of my Legal Counsel, Mr. Wale Akoni, SAN, that I would personally;
a. Tender in writing, an apology to the Government of Lagos State regarding the violation of the Social Distancing Directives of the Governor that | was charged for,
b. Undertake to observe, obey and comply with all regulations and directives of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari as well as those of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu specifically on social distancing that generally seeks to curb the spread of the Coronavirus in Nigeria ard Lagos State in particular,
c. undertake to be in self-isolation in my house of the above address for a period of 14 (fourteen) days.
4. Pursuant to the above, | hereby declare and state as follows:
a. That I hereby apologise unreservedly to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the good people of Lagos State in any manner that I may have violated the Social Distancing Regulations and stay-home order of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Governor of Lagos State, as same was not done as a result of deliberate disrespect to their persons, authorities and governments,
b. As a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria, I undertake to observe, obey and fully comply with all regulations and directives of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhamadu Buhari as well as regulations and directives of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on social distancing of people specifically, that generally seeks to curb the spread of the Coronavirus In Nigeria and in Lagos State in particular,
c. That I agree to be in self-isolation in my house at the above address for a period of 14 {fourteen} days commencing from today, Thursday 9th April 2020 and that the Lagos State Ministry of Health should supervise my isolation.
SIGNED
Babatunde Gbadamosi
