The Chief Judge of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has nominated the Magistrates that will sit during the period of lock-down.
The directive is contained in a letter made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) tagged “RE: PREVENTIVE MEASURES ON THE SPREAD OF CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) AND THE PROTECTION OF JUSTICES, JUDGES AND STAFF OF COURTS OF COURTS,” addressed to the concerned Magistrates and signed by the Chief Registrar, Alhaji Muh’d Mustapha Adamu.
The Magistrates are Magistrates Ubani Chukwuemeka Tony and Mohammed Zubairu both Chief Magistrates II
The letter reads:
“Consequent upon the circular issued by the Judicial Service Committee of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on the 23rd March, 2020, and the Covid-19 Regulations, 2020 as signed by the president, Federal Republic of Nigeria: “that court matters that are urgent, essential or time bound according to our extant laws are also exempted by virtue of Regulations 1(7) of the Covid-19 Regulations, 2020, which is also in line with the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s Circular No.: NJC/ClR/HOC/II631 of 23rd March, 2020, I write to convey the Hon. Chief Judge’s approval of the nomination of Your Worships’ nomination as Magistrate to sit within the period of lock-down.
Further, you are advised to use the Chief Magistrates Court, Wuse, Zone II – Abuja for your sitting.
The letter was copied to the Director, Magistrates Department, High Court of the FCT, Wuse, Zone II – Abuja and the NBA Branch Chairmen of FCT (Unity Branch), Bwari and Gwagwalada.