The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Mobile Court, on Monday, ordered the immediate closure of Wuse and UTC markets over flagrant disregard to COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations Act, 2021.

Magistrate Idayat Akanni, gave the order after the defaulters were brought before the court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari, on Jan. 26, signed the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Protection Regulations 2021 in the exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 4 of the Quarantine Act, Cap. Q2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010, and all other powers enabling him.

The protection regulations will serve the urgent need to protect the health and wellbeing of Nigerians in the face of widespread and rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.

Briefing newsmen after the order was given, Mr Ikharo Attah, Head, Publicity and Enlightenment, FCT Ministerial Enforcement Task Force on COVID-19, said the FCTA has rectified the regulations and directed the security agencies and enforcement task force to ensure compliance with the regulations in the territory.

“That the contravention she saw was very massive and that these properties should remain seal until compliance is actually made.”

“In all the properties sealed there were no thermometers to check temperatures, no water for customers to wash their hands and no sanitiser.

“The task force has carried out massive advocacy across the city prior to the commencement of the enforcement of executive order in the city.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that most of the people prosecuted were fined N2000 each because they were first-time offenders.

Those who couldn’t afford to pay the fine were sentenced to two weeks of community service. (NAN)