Section 247 (b) of the criminal code of the Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria provides that:" any person who does any act which is, and
which he knows or has reasons to believe to likely to spread the
infection of any disease dangerous to life whether human or animal; is
guilty of misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for six months."
How koye's action led to two deaths
Olu-Ibukun Koye, an official of the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS), had primary contact with Patrick Sawyer, the
American-Liberian who brought Ebola Virus Disease to Nigeria.
He was subsequently placed under HOME OBSERVATION during which
officials of Lagos State Government were visiting him in the morning
and in the evening to check his temperature and to see if he was
developing the EVD symptoms.
Nigerians want ECOWAS diplomat jailed!
On the third day of the inspection, Koye disappeared from his house,
switched off his phone and escaped to Port Hacourt. Officials of the
Department of State Security mounted a search for him. He was only
found after more than two weeks after he had infected Dr Iyke Enemou
who was treating him in a hotel in Port Hacourt. Koye had developed
the symptoms and rather than report himself to the authorities he
escaped to another city.
The doctor that treated him died of Ebola and an elderly woman who
shared the same hospital room with Dr Enemou also died of Ebola
disease, all as a result of his unreasonable action. He survived the
disease. Vanguard asked Nigerians if the law quoted above should be
invoked on Koye. Read their comments:
NIGERIANS REACT:
The criminal code should be reviewed - Barrister Jones
That criminal code under offences against public health section 247
ought to have been reviewed in the light of new developments so that
the punishment will be commensurate to the severity of the offence.
What is 6 months imprisonment compared to all the people that carrier
might kill?
Regarding the spread of Ebola, the law should be extended to all the
accomplices - those who helped the carrier of the disease to escape
from monitoring.
Olubukun Koye committed a crime - Ifunnaya Nwadinobi, Trader
Olubukun Koye is a learned person who knew the aftermath of his
actions. His action was criminal but I will also blame the Nigerian
government for the way he escaped. The primary focus of any government
should be the safety of her citizenry but that is not the case in
Nigeria. Olubukun Okoye's case shows the level of incompetence on the
path of the present administration. The best thing is just to leave
him alone to face the wrath of God in judgment.
To leave him to live is inhuman - Madam Mercy Ndubiri, Trader
That man should be killed for killing others intentionally. I know the
law says he is liable to six months imprisonment but I think that is
too lenient for a wicked being like him. To leave this man to live is
inhuman. But with the provision of the law, he should spend a year in
jail.
His act can be likened to that of a wizard - Jennifer Nwachukwu, Student
Let us leave Olubukun Okoye to God for judgment but humanly speaking,
Koye is not worthy to live. That act can be likened to that of a
wizard and a witch or wizard should be killed as the bible commands.
Koye is wicked and self centered - Odunukwe, Trader
I think Olubukun Okoye should be dealt with, although I don't pray for
any other epidemic in Nigeria but he should be made to pay for people
like him are wicked and self centered. He should be
arrested and made to face the music squarely within the six months
imprisonment according to the law of the federation.
Our security system is porous Evelyn, Businesswoman
Koye at the time of taking this decision was not thinking right. He
was probably confused and so should not be blamed at all. I really
blame the government for this mishap. If the government can not secure
such people then we should all know this country is now a shadow of
itself.. This act also shows that our security system is porous. My
advice to the government is to ensure that the isolation centers
remain secure in other to achieve the reason for which it was created.
Every Nigerian should remain conscious.
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