FCT Mobile Court, on Monday, ordered the immediate closure of Wuse and UTC markets over flagrant disregard to COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations Act, 2021.
Magistrate Idayat Akanni, gave the order after the defaulters were brought before the court.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on January 26, signed the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Protection Regulations 2021.
The protection regulations serve the urgent need to protect the health and wellbeing of Nigerians in the face of widespread and rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.
Briefing reporters after the order was given, Ikharo Attah, the spokesman of the FCT Ministerial Enforcement Task Force on COVID-19, said the FCTA has rectified the regulations and directed the security agencies and enforcement task force to ensure compliance with the regulations in the territory.
Mr. Attah explained that the enforcement of the executive order was in line with the directive of the president which was strictly carried out by the FCTA taskforce.
He said that the law had empowered the taskforce to ensure total compliance with the regulations, prompting it to go round strategic places in the city to arrest violators.
Mr. Attah disclosed that the task force had arrested, arraigned, prosecuted and convicted no fewer than 100 persons over violation of the executive order.
”The judge in her wisdom after seeing why transpired here at the Eagle Square, gave a strong ruling that three key areas of default, that is the Wuse, UTC market and Murg Shopping Plaza be shut down until they comply.
”That means that from midnight today, these properties and markets have to remain closed based on the verdict of her Lordship,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that most of the people prosecuted were fined N2,000 each, because they were first time offenders.
Those who couldn’t afford to pay the fine were sentenced to two weeks community service.
