Covid-19: Court Orders Reopening of Popular Abuja Markets

A Nigerian court has ordered the reopening of popular Wuse, UTC markets and Murg Shopping Plaza shut down on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital for violating COVID-19 safety protocol.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) mobile court gave the order for the reopening of the markets on Wednesday.

ARISE News had reported the sealing of the two major commercial hubs in the Federal Capital Territory, leaving traders angry and disappointed.

The court had also slammed the fine of N50,000 ($126.88) each on the three facilities, for flagrant disregard to COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations Act 2021, which must be paid before the reopening.

Ikharo Attah, Head, Media and Enlightenment of the FCT Ministerial Taskforce on Enforcement of COVID-19 Protocols, announced this at a news briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

“Almost two days after the closure of the Wuse, UTC markets and Murg Shopping Plaza, the presiding judge, Magistrate Idayat Akani, having observed what was reported back by the team that inspected the two affected markets.

“And also the undertaking was written by the leadership of the three business centres assuring that they will comply with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 guidelines on COVID-19, the judge in her wisdom ordered the unsealing of the markets and fine each of them N50,0000 which they hurriedly paid,” he said.

He added further that “If the markets fail to abide by the COVID-19 protocols again, the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello and the Commissioner of Police directed that the business facilities should be completely shut down,” he said.

Responding, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Managing Director, Murg Properties Lld., Managers of Murg Shopping Plaza, assured that the facility would comply with the safety protocol.

He said that task force had been activated to ensure total compliance with COVID-19 protocols in the plaza and the markets.

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