Delta Court Sanctions Mosque, lmam Over Open Defecation

Magistrate Court I at the Police ‘A’ Division, Warri, Delta State has imposed N500,000 fine on the chief imam of the mosque under the pedestrian bridge at Ugbuwangue in Warri, Delta State.

The court headed by Chief Magistrate O.Y. Asheshebonwu, slammed the chief imam with the fine over a ‘catch-pit’ behind the mosque, which was opened and smelly.

Chief Magistrate Asheshebonwu, who said hearing on the case would come up on February 10, also ordered the sealing of the makeshift market occupied by traders at the NPA Bye-pass, close to the NPA Old Port Gate, Warri.

The court was miffed by the non-appearance of the sanitary coordinator of the market during the court sitting on Wednesday.

The Warri South Council Environment Department Prosecutor had gone for the sealing order process on Thursday.

In a related development, Chief Magistrate O.Y. Asheshebonwu, earlier slammed the owner of a pigsty at Cemetery Road, Warri, with a N300,000 fine for contempt of court and the case was adjourned to February 9.

The cases, were brought before the court by the Department of Environment, Warri South LG, after abatement notices were served to the Mosque and the Pigsty, “for committing environmental nuisance.”

The chairman of Warri South LGA, Comrade Agbateyiniro Isaac, while reacting to the development, stated that it would serve as deterrent to individuals and institutions that are frustrating his administration’s effort at making the LGA environmentally friendly and attractive for investments.