Mobile courts target Nigeria's COVID-19 rule-breakers

By Abraham Achirga
ABUJA, March 11 (Reuters) - Eagle Square in Nigeria's
capital Abuja usually hosts concerts, rallies, and even
presidential inaugurations but since the COVID-19 pandemic it
has become home to a mobile court where those who break rules
aimed at containing the virus are prosecuted.
Small groups of men reluctantly file inside the square,
which is surrounded by stadium seats, to receive fines from a
judge of 2,000 naira ($5.25) or more for offences such as not
wearing masks, failing to social distance or being in a
gathering over 50 people.
They are lucky; a law signed by President Muhammadu Buhari
in January allows jail terms of up to six months for
rulebreaking.
"The court has its discretion," said prosecutor Udeme Umana,
adding that it did not want to send anyone to prison.
Other Nigerian states, including southeastern Anambra and
western Kwara state have also trialled mobile courts, where the
accused are brought by police to courts that are dismantled
daily and can move to different locations.
Enforcers face a daunting task - few in Nigeria's markets,
shops or on public transport wear masks, and those that do often
wear them below their nose or mouth. Even some police at the
many Abuja road checkpoints are without masks.
Rights groups have warned that arbitrary enforcement of
these rules could lead to human rights abuses.
But authorities say letting up on the rules could allow
infections to soar, even as Nigeria rolls out vaccinations.
Nigeria has had 159,252 confirmed cases and 1,988 deaths from
the virus.
Attah Ikharo, a member of Abuja's enforcement team, said
their work increased compliance.
A patrol picked up Martin Ukaa, among the 30 men and women
prosecuted at Eagle Square that day, as he waited outside,
maskless, for a job interview. He said he had no idea there were
mobile courts, but would be more careful after the stinging
fine.
"I don't really feel bad because I know I am paying for my
sins," Ukaa said.

($1 = 380.5500 naira)