Edo govt sets up mobile courts to try violators of COVID-19 lockdown order

The Edo State government has constituted Mobile Courts across the state to try persons who breach the Edo State Dangerous Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020.

Governor Godwin Obaseki invoked the regulation on Saturday in Benin in a bid to stem the spread of the deadly COVID-19 disease which has fast spread across the country, infecting no fewer than 318 persons thus far.

Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, W.I Aziegbemhin, who issued a statement to that effect, said that following the regulation, Justice Edigin constituted the Mobile Courts to determine cases arising from violations of the provisions of the regulation.

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“To this end, five Chief Magistrates (Special Grade) have been mandated to preside over the designated courts in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Egor Local Governments while the most senior Magistrate in other Local Governments in Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North are also constituted as Mobile Courts in their jurisdictions for this purpose.

“The police, state prosecutors and other stakeholders in the Criminal Justice sector are invited to file their cases and prosecute violators of the provisions of the Regulation in the designated courts in order to give full effect to the Law,” he said.

Aziegbemhin added that “the earlier directives of the Chief Judge stipulating strict observance of social distancing in all state Courts and restricting the numbers/categories of persons who can be allowed access into courts at a given time remains in force and shall be applicable to the proceedings and activities of the above designated courts.

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