The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed the bill on restriction order to combat and stop the spread of Coronavirus pandemic in the state.
The bill was passed during the plenary on Thursday and the Clerk of the House, Mr Sanni Azeez, has been asked to transmit the law to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to give his assent.
Among other things, where there is a violation of a close down or stay at home order, security agencies shall have power to arrest without warrant and may detain any person.
The law will empower the governor to incur a kick-off expenditure in sum of N20 billion to combat and stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The bill states: “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 organisations.
“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 power to arrest without warrant and may detain any person who violates the close down or stay at home order for at least forty-eight (48) hours.
“Where the arrested person is found guilty, the person is liable to a fine of one Hundred Thousand Nara fine (N100,000.00) or one (1) month imprisonment or three (3) months community service.”
