The Kaduna state government has set up mobile courts to summarily try curfew violators, in its efforts to preserve public safety, the solicitor-general, Chris Umar, has disclosed.
Speaking in a letter to the Chief Registrar of Kaduna state High Court, dated April 22, Chris said the decision was taken by the state executive council to enforce the executive order.
Blueprint recalls that the deputy governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, had invoked the 1999 Constitution, Sections 2 and 8 of the Quarantine Act of 1926 and Kaduna State Public Health Law of 1917, and imposed a lockdown throughout the state, on March 26.
Violations of the restriction of movement order, social distancing and the gathering of large crowds have been reported and Kaduna state government had threatened to sanction traditional leaders of communities where such violations take place.
The deputy governor had also threatened to revert to the 24-hour lockdown, by closing the two-day weekly window of Tuesdays and Wednesdays that allows for residents to restock food stuff.
According to the solicitor-general, “The mobile courts will deal with violators summarily without the need for the present cumbersome procedure of taking offenders to court over such violations.
“Magistrates that will preside over the mobile courts have already been assigned by the state Ministry of Justice. The Magistrates will be sitting at various locations across the city starting with Kakuri, Kawo, Magajin Gari, Rigasa, Sabon Tasha, Maraban Rido and Rigachikun,” he said.
