Some prayer house operators in Akwa Ibom State, one Kufre Ekpenyong and Micah Edet, who operate a prayer house at Itiam Etoi Village, Uyo Local Government Area of the State, have been sentenced for violating the Environmental Sanitation Laws of the State.

The Environmental Sanitation Court sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital, found the duo guilty of contravening Section 38 of the Akwa Ibom State Public Health Laws, Cap 199, Volume 5 of 2022.

The court also found the owner of a popular bar in the State, Vinyard Spots Bar located along Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, for breach of Environmental Laws of the state.

Similarly, three other persons from Mbiakpan Village in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Nyaknno Augustine John, Ekom Eyo Etim and Ubong Effiong were also charged for failing to participate in the environmental sanitation exercise in their community, an offence the court said contravenes Section 38 of Akwa Ibom State Public Health Laws, Cap 199, Volume 5 of 2022.

In his ruling, the Presiding Magistrate, Senior Magistrate Amanda Effiom said the prayer house operators were facing punishment bordering on a 10-count charge.

She said the charges included excessive noise pollution, creating a public nuisance, failing to provide adequate ventilation for worshippers, and neglecting to install basic sanitation facilities, such as hand washing basins, gender-specific toilets, refuse bins, a standard generator house, and an emergency exit.

The court further stated that the defendants were also charged with failing to ensure all loudspeakers were housed internally and that the noise levels did not exceed 80 decibels, thereby violating the Public Health Rule, Part 2 (30), and punishable under Part 4, Section 46 of the Akwa Ibom State Public Health Laws, Cap 113, Volume 5 of 2000.

The court also accused the prayer house operators of inciting their congregation to assault an elderly man, whom they suspected reported them to the police.

The court heard that the worshippers attacked the man, causing physical harm and property damage.

Meanwhile, the Presiding Magistrate, Senior Magistrate Amanda Effiom, granted the prayer house owners bail in the sum of ₦200,000, with a stern warning against any further harassment of the complainant.

On the charge involving sanitation defaulters in Ibiono Ibom LGA, the court granted them bail with sum ranging from #30,000 to ₦100,000.

Some of the defendants were also ordered to undertake community service of cutting of grasses, for two days as part of their penalty.