The number of pastors arrested and prosecuted for flouting lockdown in Ekiti State has become worrisome.
This is the submission of the Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda, on Tuesday.
WuzupNigeria reports that the state government had imposed a lockdown to check the spread of the coronavirus [Covid-19].
But Fapohunda, who spoke in Ado Ekiti during a meeting with the Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN], said the number of pastors arrested for violating the lockdown is increasing.
He urged Christian leaders in Ekiti State “to support government’s effort in curbing the spread of COVID-19 through religious programmes that do not violate the Ekiti State Coronavirus Disease (Prevention of Infection) Regulations, 2020”.
“The Ministry of Justice is concerned about the increasing number of pastors that have been arrested over the past few days for violating the prohibition of gathering provision in the COVID-19 Regulations.
“It is a matter of regret that no fewer than 10 pastors have been arrested and prosecuted for violating the Ekiti State COVID-19 Regulations. We derive no joy in prosecuting representatives of faith-based groups.
“For the avoidance of doubt any form of gathering in Ekiti State is prohibited except in respect of funeral. In such cases, attendance at a funeral must be limited to 20 people. There shall be no vigil or party and all safety measures including social distancing, wearing of masks must be strictly adhered to.
“This is the time when the state government needs prayers as well as constructive partnership with churches and mosques specifically in the areas of message transmission as well as counseling our people to stay calm and keep faith during this trying period.
“We need CAN to match government’s food palliatives with spiritual palliatives within the limits of the regulations,” Fapohunda said.
The AG appealed to CAN to do more in communicating with its members on the dangers of large gatherings for now, saying,
“COVID-19 is contagious. One person can infect a whole congregation and endanger the lives of large communities”.
CAN Chairman in Ekiti State, Revd Father Peter Olowolafe, who assured the state government of CAN’s commitment to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Ekiti State, said that CAN had been very proactive in communicating with its membership on the need to comply with government’s directives on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.
Olowolafe apologised for the conduct of the erring churches, adding that CAN would intensify its efforts through its internal communication as well as electronic media to ensure full compliance by churches in Ekiti State.
