by Thinus Ferreira
The police arrested the Nigerian actress Funke Akindele-Bello and her husband Abdul Rasheed Bello after she held a glitzy birthday party for him, streamed on his Instagram live feed on Saturday, while Nigeria is on a national lockdown period because of the growing spread of the Covid-19 novel coronavirus pandemic globally and in that country.
Despite being the face of Dettol Nigeria's "Stay Home" campaign to try and limit the spread of the contagious Covid-19 virus, the star of the series Jenifa's Diary seen on M-Net's Africa Magic channels on MultiChoice's DStv, went ahead with a large and lavish birthday house party for Abdul Rasheed Bello, popularly known as "JJC Skillz", at their Amen Estate gated community that was attended by many people.
Several of the people were her own production crew working on a new film whose lives the couple deliberately placed in danger.
The hypocritical Funke Akindele-Bello has caused massive damage to her brand as well as Dettol, as well as damage to Nigeria's efforts to try and curb the rapid spread of Covid-19 in the West African country with her actions.
The couple appeared in court in Lagos on Monday and are facing charges of breaking the Lagos State Infectious Disease 2020 regulations under the Public Health Law. They pleaded guilty.
Both were sentenced to 14-day, 3-hours per day community service and a N100 000 (R4856) fine each for holding a party in contravention of the national lockdown rules.
Bala Elkana, Lagos police spokesperson, in a statement says the couple was arrested after the police saw the "large number of people" who attended the birthday party despite the 14-day national lockdown period in Nigeria.
In a Insta-video Funke Akindele-Bello said that "I am sorry if I misled you with the video. I appreciate your concerns and I promise to practice what we preach."
Dettol in a statement said that "We have been made aware through social media that Funke Akindele recently, acting in her personal capacity, had a celebration which is against the caution to the public on social distancing during the covid-19 pandemic."
"The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) partnered with Dettol on a public service message to educate our communities about preventive measures against Covid-19. Funke is not a brand ambassador of the NCDC."
"As a responsible organization and brand Dettol does not condone any breach of the guidelines on Covid-19. As an organisation we are concerned at the turn of events. We will continue to support NCDC and the Nigerian government to fight Covid-19."
