CJN orders temporary closure of courts over coronavirus pandemic

As a way of protecting Judges and judicial officers from coronavirus pandemic, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and chairman, National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad has directed all heads of courts to suspend all courts activities in the country temporarily.

Justice Muhammad’s directive was contained in a fresh circular dated March 23, 2020, to all heads of Courts.

The closure which is for an initial two weeks takes effect from Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

The CJN, however, said that judges can attend to pressing issues and or time-bound cases in their courts.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Oyo judiciary commences two weeks break

The circular titled, ‘RE: PREVENTIVE MEASURES ON THE SPREAD OF CORONA VIRUS (COVID – 19) AND THE PROTECTION OF JUSTICES, JUDGES AND STAFF OF COURTS’ is a further directive to the CJN’s earlier Circular with Ref. No. NJC/CIR/HOC/II/629 dated 20th March 2020, on the above subject matter.

It reads, “In view of the reality of the COVID-19 in the country and in order to take further preventive steps, all Heads of Courts are, from tomorrow, the 24th day of March 2020, directed to suspend Court sittings for an initial period of two weeks at the first instance, except in matters that are urgent, essential or time-bound according to our extant laws.

“Your Lordships are hereby directed to bring the content of this circular to the notice of all Stakeholders in justice administration, please”, the circular stated.

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