COVID-19: Court of Appeal halts sittings in FCT, Lagos, Ogun

The Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has directed a halt to sittings in FCT, Lagos and Ogun states following President Muhammadu Buhari’s lockdown directive. In a statement on Tuesday, Justice Dongban-Mensem however explained that sittings would continue in states not mentioned by the president for only urgent matters in accordance […]

The Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has directed a halt to sittings in FCT, Lagos and Ogun states following President Muhammadu Buhari’s lockdown directive.

In a statement on Tuesday, Justice Dongban-Mensem however explained that sittings would continue in states not mentioned by the president for only urgent matters in accordance with the directive earlier given by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammadu.

“The Bench and the Bar are enjoined to strictly observe the guidelines on social distancing as directed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Counsel and litigants present in court should be limited to 20 persons maximum at all times.

“The use of ICT via online communication is hereby encouraged as much as practicable to ameliorate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement reads.