TheCable

Binta Nyako, judge of a federal high court in Abuja, has reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus.

A staff of the court, who preferred not to be named, told TheCable that the judge has gone into isolation.

The source also said Nyako’s secretary and other close aides have been advised to go into isolation.

Nyako had, on January 28, attended the valedictory court session held in honour of Ibrahim Watila, an Abeokuta federal high court judge, who died after a brief illness.

Judges, as well as lawyers from different jurisdictions across the country, had attended the valedictory session, which was presided over by John Tsoho, chief judge of the federal high court.

Ibrahim Muhammad, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), had in March 2020, ordered all courts across the country to suspend judicial activities in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

However, in April, courts were allowed to hear only cases that were considered urgent or time-bound.

Over time, courts were allowed to continue normal activities.

Staff, as well as litigants, are expected to wash their hands with soap and water, and also check their temperature with an infrared thermometer before entry into the courts. Hand sanitiser dispensers are also available in front of all courtrooms at the federal high court premises.

TheCable has also observed that judges at the federal high court in Abuja have, so far, complied with the protocol on compulsory wearing of face masks in public.