Coronavirus: Six fined GH₵86,400 for attending party during lockdown

An Accra circuit court on Tuesday fined six persons GH₵86,400 for attending a party during the coronavirus lockdown.

They were charged with conspiracy not to comply with the limitation of movements imposed by the law. They violated the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) and failure to comply with Act 1012.

They pleaded guilty to their offences and were convicted on their own plea to a fine of GHc14, 400 each or face five years in jail in default.

The government placed a restriction on movement in parts of the country as a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19.

But all six persons according to the police violated the government’s directive to organise a party at a time when there had been a ban on social gatherings.

The accused persons, however, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, but the police insisted they deserved to be punished to serve as a deterrent to others.

The prosecution led by Chief Inspector Guiliver Tenkorang said all the accused persons knew the consequence of their actions.

The court agreed and fined Amadi Mine, Aboy-Iyen Precious, Marshal Ovieshare, Godsway Fejiro, Eliot Sharker and David Amos.

According to the facts presented to the court by the prosecution, the six were part of about fifty people who attended the party at Teshie, First Junction.

The six were arrested after a tip-off.

While giving her judgment, the judge, Efia Owusua Appiah explained her decision was to serve as a deterrent to other people.