Lagos Special Offences Mobile Court sitting at Oshodi, has convicted a socialite Ms. Ogbulu Pearl – Erelu Okin – for distributing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, as souvenir at a party.
The defendant was earlier arraigned on March 14, for the offence of distributing PMS as souvenir during her installation party on March 5.
The offence violates section 251(1), 168 (1), 244 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and Section 195 (2)(b) of the Environmental Management Protection Law of Lagos State 2017.
Delivering judgement in the matter after Erelu Okin changed her plea from ‘not guilty ‘ to guilty, Chief Magistrate Kehinde Ogundare sentenced her to three months imprisonment or option of N15,000 fine on the first count of the charge.
The magistrate also ordered the defendant to pay N1 million fine on the second and third count of the charge or face two years imprisonment.
Magistrate Ogundare held that the prosecution has successfully proven the charge against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt and thereby convicted and sentenced her accordingly.
Erelu Okin had previously come out to apologise for sharing fuel as a souvenir at her installation ceremony.
The apology followed the outrage and backlash from Nigerians; over the viral video where kegs of fuel with stickers “Erelu Okin Foundation Installation Party” were shared at the ceremony.
“I want to use this medium to apologise for the momentarily indiscretion of bringing fuel souvenirs into the hall.
“My intent was just to show appreciation to my guests for turning up at my event at these hard times.
“I have paused to reflect and truly apologise, and I thank you all for your understanding and criticisms,” Ms Ogbolu wrote in an Instagram post on March 5.”