Woman, 44, Jailed For Recording Video During Court Proceedings

MICHAEL AKINOLA

A 44-year old woman, Mrs. Ope Morakinyo, will not forget in a hurry Thursday, 29th July, 2021, when she went to Court for secretly recording proceedings and was caught in the act.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that she was caught, arraigned and jailed accordingly for making video recording during Court proceedings.

The incident happened at the Osun State Magistrate Court, sitting in Osogbo, from where she was moved to the Correctional Centre pending when she will regain her freedom after serving the prison term.

The prosecutor, Idoko John, said that the woman committed the offence on July 28, 2021, at the Magistrate Court premises, Osogbo.

The charge sheet read: “That you Ope Morakinyo ‘f’, on the 28th day of July, 2021, at about 10:00am, at Chief Magistrate Court 5 Osogbo in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did intentionally disrespect the Court by recording video proceedings of the Court with your mobile phone and thereby committed an offence”.

According to the charge sheet, the offence was contrary to and punishable under section 133(3)(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

She pleaded guilty of the offence and appealed to the Court to temper justice with mercy on her.

The Presiding Magistrate, Adekanmi Adeyeba, found the woman guilty as charged and sentenced her to two weeks imprisonment without an option of fine to serve as deterrent to others who might try such in future.