…convicts over 100 persons over facemasks violation
By Muhammad Tanimu
Abuja
An Abuja Mobile court yesterday shut down the popular Wuse market, the UTC and the Murg shopping Plazas for violating the Presidential regulations on COVID-19.
Same court also convicted about 100 persons who were arrested by the Enforcement team for not wearing facemasks in public places.
This came barely six days after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021.
The same regulations were also rectified by FCTA three days ago, with a directive by FCT Minister authorising security agencies to arrest anyone violating the guidelines.
The court presided over by Magistrate Idayat Akanni fined the violators N2,000 each, with an option of 2 weeks community service.
She also explained that the convicts were given lesser penalties, because they were first offenders.
Also speaking, the Head, Media and Enlightenment of FCTA COVID-19 Enforcement team, Ihkaro Attah, said the situation at the shut down markets were such that no responsible government would pretend not to see.
Attah noted that the Presidential regulations specifically said that management of public business facilities, should take full responsibility of enforcement of the COVID-19 regulations, but these markets defaulted in all aspects.
According to him, the market and plazas disregarded the guidelines and did not make provision for the health safety requirements.
He added that the court has said the shut down order can only be vacated when the management of the facilities comply with the regulations.
He said, ” the Presidential Regulations has given our enforcement team the teeth to bite and the FCT Minister has also given his backing for the full implementation of the Presidential regulations “