Three Islamic clerics will face the full wrath of the law for defying lockdown orders of Borno State government
The three clerics allegedly held Friday prayers after congregational worship was banned to mitigate the spread of the corona virus in the state.
It is not clear what will be the specific penalty for thee clerics but there are indications that they may be facing suspension.
Borno Deputy Governor Alhaji Umar Kadafur, who is also the Chairman of the State COVID 19 Committee, regretted the action of the clerics while speaking with journalists in Maiduguri on the compliance of the lockdown by the people of the state.
“It is unfortunate that some people are taking the COVID-19 pandemic lightly, which explains why they were defying the lockdown order,” Kadafur said.
The deputy governor disclosed the Imams as “Goni Isa of Flatari North, Goni Bashir CMC Lawan Bukar and Gini Gapchia, Imam of University of Maiduguri”.
“They are aware of the lockdown order but went ahead to call for the Jummat congregational prayers, an action against the directive of the government to safeguard it’s people against COVID-19.
“We shall send their names to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Umar-Ibn Garbai, who is the Chairman of the Borno State Traditional Rulers Association, to direct the Chief Imam of the state to suspend them from conducting further congregation,” he informed.
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, who is member of the State’s High Powered Response Team, Babakura Abba Jatau said: ”It is disheartening to tell you that three Islamic Scholars (names withheld) today violated the total lockdown rules by conducting Juma’at prayers in their respective mosques in the metropolis.
“The violators have been fished out and would definitely face the full wrath of the law”.