Delta sets up courts to prosecute stay-at-Home offenders

The Delta state government has set up courts in the three senatorial districts of the state to prosecute violators of the stay-at-home order of the state government.

Chief Judge of Delta state, Justice Marshal Umukoro inaugurated the courts on Wednesday in Asaba, the state capital.

A statement by the Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Asaba, said that “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 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 in order to give effect to the public health objectives and good intentions of the state government.

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“Meanwhile, and for the avoidance of doubt, the earlier directive of the 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 Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in a state broadcast on March 31, issued the stay-at-home order effective April 1, restricting the movement of people, goods and services into, within and out of all parts of the state.