Naira Marley case: Court reopens Jabi Mall

A Federal Capital Territory Magistrates Court has reopened Jabi Lake Mall barely 10 days after it was shut.

Jabi Lake Mall was shut after Nigerian musician, Naira Marley hosted a drive in concert which attracted large gathering of people in the midst of coronavirus pandemic.

The court ordered the management of the mall to publish an apology to the federal government in national dailies for defying the COVID-19 guidelines.

The mall was shut on the order of Magistrate Idayat Akanni for the concert which attracted a large gathering of people whom many did not wear face masks or observe social distancing.

Three staff of the mall were also arraigned for organising the concert in violation of the protocols approved by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

Giving the directive for the mall to be opened on Monday, Akanni stated that her decision was a sequel to the application filed by the defence counsel, Nnamdi Ekwem, requesting the court to open the business premises.

She said that her judgment was based on the overall interest of those who would be affected adversely by the closure, stating that the mall had over 100 employees and other tenants who are not co-offenders in the matter.

She said, “The order is also based on compassion, especially, in consideration of the economic losses that will be suffered by those affected, coupled with the impact of COVID-19 on the people.”