The Solicitor General of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Yusuf Wodi, has said that the 13 mobile courts established in the FCT was legally and dully constituted to address violators of the Coronavirus lockdown.
He said so at a press briefing on Friday, adding that the mobile courts were established in line with Section 7 of the Quarantine Act of 2004, which vests jurisdiction to try violations under the Quarantine Act on Magistrate Courts.
He also said that the courts, with full complements of staff, were established at strategic locations within and outside the capital city.
Advertisement
The Solicitor General further said that the administration’s objective was not to create fear or intimidate residents but to ensure that law and order was maintained in line with the stay-at-home directive.
“Government does not derive any pleasure in the curtailment of anybody’s freedom.
“Likewise, government is not interested in causing unnecessary hardship on the residents,” he added.
He also said that contrary to some online misinformation about the Court’s fine, it was within the discretion of the magistrates in line with the provisions of the law, to determine the penalities for those convicted.