COVID-19: FG has right to isolate our sister, family of Benue index case says

Family members of Benue index case of coronavirus, Susan Okpe, on Thursday, said that the Federal Government has a legal reason to isolate their sister.

This is coming on the heels of the threat by the woman to drag the Federal and state governments to court for what she described as her continuous stay in the isolation centre.

According to the statement issued by Austin Lawani, a legal practitioner on behalf of the family, a copy made available to our correspondent in Makurdi said that Federal Government had medical and legal reasons under the law to isolate anyone including there sister in the face of the ravaging coronavirus.

The family noted that Susan Okpe, Nee Lawani is their sister and that she had been under medical isolation at the National Hospital, Abuja for observation and possible care.

It further said that under extant laws, the Federal Government has the medical and legal reasons for isolating any of her citizens, our sister inclusive, especially in the face of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

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The family noted that as a family, they love their sister and have demonstrated the same since her isolation.

“We are in constant touch with her. At the same time, we are in dialogue with the relevant authorities, agencies, institutions and officials of government with respect and regards to her welfare, state of health and possible discharge.

*We are a law-abiding family and would continue to pursue the same objective to ensure her safe release and or discharge as soon as possible,* the statement read in parts.

It would be recalled that Mrs Okpe tested positive for coronavirus a few days after she came to Nigeria from the United Kingdom for her mother’s burial.

But the 54-year-old woman stirred up controversy that the announcement by the state governor, Samuel Ortom, of her medical status was wrong and sought a transfer to Abuja.

Minister of health was said to have directed her transfer to the National hospital, Abuja but had refused to be treated despite her medical status almost 50 days ago.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE