Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Edo State judiciary has constituted mobile courts to determine cases arising from violations of the provisions of Dangerous Infectious Diseases Regulations 2020, invoked by Governor Godwin Obaseki to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the state.
Recall that the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki had last Tuesday signed the quarantine regulations made pursuant to Section 8 of the Quarantine Act, the Public Health Law and other legislation, which gives legal sanctions to the response actions of the Edo State Government to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement by the Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Edo State, Idemudia Aziegbemhin, said: “Sequel to the signing into law of the Edo State Dangerous Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020 and pursuant to its provisions and guidelines issued thereto, as well as toward the enforcement of the aforesaid provisions, the public, especially stakeholders in the Criminal Justice Administration sector, is hereby informed that the honourable, the Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice E. A. Edigin has constituted Edo State Dangerous Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Mobile Courts 2020 to determine cases arising from violations of the provisions of the said regulation.
“To this end, five chief magistrates (Special Grade) have been mandated to preside over the designated courts in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Egor local governments.
The statement added that “the most senior magistrate in other local governments in Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North are also constituted as mobile courts in their jurisdictions for this purpose.”
It stated further that following the constitution of the mobile courts “The police, state prosecutors and other stakeholders in the criminal justice sector of Edo State are by this notice invited to file their cases and prosecute violators of the provisions of the regulation in the designated courts in order to give full effect to the law.”
