TheCable

A mobile court in the federal capital territory (FCT) has ordered the reopening of Wuse market, UTC as well as Murg plaza after they were shut down on Monday.

According to NAN,  Ikharo Attah, head of media and enlightenment, FCT ministerial taskforce on enforcement of COVID-19 protocol, disclosed the court’s ruling on Wednesday in Abuja.

On Monday, the FCT taskforce raided Wuse market, UTC and Murg plaza, and arrested 115 persons for violating COVID-19 protocol.  The 115 persons were arraigned before a mobile court sitting at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

Idayat Akanni, a magistrate, while delivering her ruling on those brought before her for violating COVID protocol, ordered that the market and plaza be closed until the traders were ready to comply.

But Attah said the taskforce unsealed the market on Wednesday in line with Akanni’s ruling after a thorough examination of the inspection report by the taskforce.

“Almost two days after the closure of Wuse, UTC markets and Murg shopping plaza, the presiding judge, Magistrate Idayat Akanni, having observed what was reported back by the team that inspected the two affected markets and Murga shopping plaza also, the undertaking written by the leadership of the three business centers assuring that they will comply with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 guidelines on COVID-19, the judge in her wisdom, unsealed the markets and fine each of them N50,000 which they hurriedly pay,” he said.

Attah said if the affected places do not comply with COVID-19 protocol after they have been unsealed, the taskforce will shut them down permanently.

“If the market fails to abide by the COVID-19 protocols again, the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello and the Commissioner of Police directed that the business facilities be completely shut down,” he said.