The Honourable Chief Justice of the Delta State Judiciary has directed that members of the General Public shall not be allowed entry into court premises until further notice except those who show proof that they have come to file or prosecute urgent matters/applications.

This directive was given in a notice dated the 23rd day of March, 2020, and signed by the Chief Registrar, E.Z. Dolor, Esq, sighted by TNL. According to the His Lordship, only bail and remand applications, urgent ex parte applications, adoption of written addresses, delivery of judgment and rulings, arraignment proceedings/overnight cases and custody cases will be entertained by the court.

“In the matter/proceedings mentioned above, only the actual parties involved and their respective counsel shall be allowed into the court room, so however that at any particular time, the total number of person (excluding court personnel) who can be inside the court shall not be more than ten (10).

“All persons within Court premises, including persons in Open Court and in Court Registries/Offices shall maintain a distance of at least one meter from one another, in compliance with the social Distancing prescription of the World Health Organization,” the statement reads.

His lordship added that the directives will take effect immediately, and that further directives will be issued as the situation warrants. He also stressed that he solicits the cooperation of members of the general public, particularly stakeholders in the justice administration sector, for the purpose of ensuring that these directives are adhered to, for the ultimate good and well-being of all concerned.

Those copied in the notice are the Honourable Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government, the Attorney General of the State, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, branch chairmen of NBA, Delta State, the State Coordinator, Legal Aid Council, Delta State, etc.

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