COVID-19: Court orders FCTA to reopen Jabi Lake Mall

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate, Idayat Akanni, yesterday granted an application to re-open the Jabi Lake Mall which was sealed 10 days ago for flouting the directive on the ban on public and social gatherings.

The magistrate also ordered the management of the mall to publish an unreserved apology to government in national dailies for hosting the Lagos-based controversial artist, Naira Marley in concert.

Recall, the mall was shut last week by an order from the same court for organising a ‘drive-in-concert’ which attracted hundreds of Abuja residents, against the social distancing rules as well as conducting business activities exceeding the normal hours allowed by the authorities.  

Three staff of the mall who were arraigned before the magistrate that sat as a Mobile Court at Jabi, were accused of organising a concert that violated the COVID-19 health safety guidelines and other protocols approved by the Presidential Task Force. 

Magistrate Idayat Akanni, who ordered that the mall should immediately be re-opened, stated that she had perused the application filed by the defence counsel, Mr. Nnamdi Ekwem, praying the court to unseal the business premises. 

Akanni noted that her judgement was based on the overall interest of those who will adversely be affected should the mall remain closed.

She also stated that the mall has over 100 employees and other tenants who are not co-offenders in the matter and may have their fundamental human rights seriously infracted.

According to her, the order is also based on compassion, especially in consideration of the economic losses that will be suffered by those affected, coupled with the impact of COVID-19 on the people.

Chairman of the FCT Ministerial Task Force on COVID -19, Ikharo Attah said the FCTA has no objection to the ruling of the court because the administration wants to remain a model in obeying the rule of law.

Attah noted that FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello has demonstrated a strong will to respect the laws while striving for good governance. He stressed that nobody can violate the laws and go unpunished in the FCT. 

He also added that the management of the mall is expected to comply with the order of the court by publishing an apology to government in national dailies as soon as possible.

Attah said that “in the wisdom of the court, it has decided to re-open the mall after 10 days and also asking that the management to publish an apology to government in national dailies; we expect it as quick as possible. 

“We have shown the world that government works here; we have also shown that the rule of law is respected here. We abide by the order, since the court’s judgment is based on compassion and the economic losses already recorded.”