by Isi Esene

Excuse us for a minute while we roll our eyes.

Eight people, including four women were yesterday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court for allegedly drinking local gin (popularly known as Ogogoro) and smoking in an unacceptable manner in the public.

The police prosecutor, Sgt. Uche Kalu said the accused persons gathered at Kazuma Roundabout around 1:20am on August 14, in a manner which caused panic and fear in the neighbourhood.

The prosecutor said the alleged offense contravenes Sections 409 and 44(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

According to the Vanguard Newspapers, the accused persons,  Nkereuwen Akpan, 29, James Patricia, 39, Jenifer John, 27, Salami Kazeem, 37, Festus Opara, 35, Princess Pius, 26, Gold Johnson, 27 and John Idoh, 32, were charged on two counts of misdemeanor and unlawful assembly.

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to both charges and the presiding magistrate, Mrs. A. K. Shonubi granted them bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety each in the like sum.

The case was adjourned till September 17 for further hearing.

‘Drinking in an unacceptable manner’… seriously?!