Honourable Justice Marshal Umukoro
ASABA/Nigeria: The State Government under the auspices of Delta State Judiciary has set up courts in the three senatorial districts of the state to try and sentence violators of the Stay-at-Home Order of the state government.
The Chief Judge of Delta State, Honourable Justice Marshal Umukoro inaugurated the courts yesterday in Asaba, the state capital.
A statement by the Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Asaba, said Magistrate’s Court 1, Asaba, is to hear and determine cases emanating from Delta North Senatorial District. Chief Magistrate’s Court 1, Ughelli, will hear and determine cases in Delta Central Senatorial District, while Chief Magistrate’s Court 1, Warri has been designated to hear and determine cases emanating from Delta South Senatorial District.
The three designated courts are also empowered to operate as mobile courts.
It stated that the exercise was to give a legal bite to and ensure maximum compliance with the Stay-at-Home Order of the State Government’s proactive measure to contain the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in the State.
The statement enjoined the police, state prosecutors and other stakeholders in the administration of justice to file their cases and prosecute violators of the Stay-at-Home Directive in order to give effect to the public health objectives and good intentions of the Government.
“Meanwhile, and for the avoidance of doubt, the earlier Directives of the Honourable Chief Judge stipulating, inter alia, strict observance of social distancing in Courts and restricting the number/categories of persons who can be allowed access into our Courts per time remain in force and shall be applicable to the proceedings and activities of the designated Courts herein ” the statement added.
It would be recalled that the State Governor, Senator Dr Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa in a state broadcast on 31st March, 2020 issued Stay-at-Home Order, effective April 1, 2020, restricting movement of people, good and services into, within, and out of all parts of the state as proactive measure in curtailing the s
