The Borno Chief Judge, Justice Kashim Zannah and State’s Independent
Electoral Commission Chairman, Abdu Usman; have suspended courts’
sittings and council elections until April 13, 2020.
According to Zannah, the suspension was for staff and judges to
observe recommended distance to prevent contracting coronavirus that
has claimed over 17,000 lives.
Zannah in a statement Thursday in Maiduguri; said that judicial staff,
including Judges; are to ‘distance and desist’ from crowding space,
including their offices.
He noted that Vacation Judge of High Court, the Chief Magistrates
Court 1 and Upper Sharia Court 1 shall be open.
The opening, according to him, is only to handle urgent and time bound
matter, while strictly enforcing the physical (social) distancing
requirements.
On knowledge of pandemic, he said: “All judges, staff and lawyers are
advised to seek knowledge of the pandemic through authentic sources
https://edition.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/corona-virus and avoid
unverified WhatsApp, etc. information.
“As society leaders, you will be believed and taken seriously and
misinformation from you may cost lives.”
BOSIEC’s Chairman, Usman has also announced an indefinite suspension
of council elections in 27 Local Government Areas of Borno state.
The election, according to him, was slated for June 13, 2020.
Usman, disclosed this Thursday in a statement released in Maiduguri to
journalists.
He said the postponement; was in compliance with advice from the
Presidential and State Committees on control of COVID-19.
According to him; “The commission, taking into cognisance the fact
that the next activity on the election time table will involve large
gathering.
“This will go against the directives on the deadly virus.”
He said the commission has therefore, decided to postpone all the
remaining activities in the electoral time table indefinitely.
“This is in line with section 26 of Electoral Act 2010 (as
amended).The rescheduled time table will be released as soon as the
pandemic; is brought under control,” he the electoral boss.
He also appreciated political parties and people for their ‘support
and cooperation’ with commission during the preparations for election
that commenced March 9.
