THE Mobile Courts activated by Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has prosecuted 156 violators of the Stay-at-home Presidential Order aimed at curtailing spread of COVID-19.

Malam Wadata Bodinga, director of FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), spoke with reporters on Sunday in Abuja.

Bodinga said the courts started sitting on Thursday, April 16, in Aya, Dantata and Mpape, Abuja.

Bodinga noted that the mobile courts, presided over by a magistrate, had continued to try violators of the COVID-19 lockdown proclamation laws.

He said 50 cases were prosecuted on the first day of which 40 people were convicted, and 10 discharged.

Bodinga added that 40 were prosecuted between April 17 and 19,

“During the second and third days, about 29 violators were convicted, 11 discharged; 66 were prosecuted with 48 convicted and 18 discharged,” he said.

Bodinga said they were pedestrians, motorists and motorcyclists caught violating the order.

He said some of the convicts were fined various sums while others had their vehicles impounded and sentenced to community service.

“The objective of setting up the courts had been largely achieved as fewer people are now seen on the streets.

“The idea to prosecute violators is not aimed at punishing anyone but to discourage people from leaving their homes against medical advice to curtail the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

Bodinga, therefore, appealed to residents to comply with the lockdown order to avoid arrest and prosecution.