The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, has extended the suspension of court sittings till further notice.
This was contained in a statement by the CJN on Monday evening.
According to the CJN, the extension is necessary because of the measures in place to fight COVID-19.
“In view of the fact that the initial two weeks suspension of courts sittings will expire on 7th April 2020, I hereby extend the suspension of court sittings till further notice, given the lockdown measure put in place by Federal and some state governments to curb the spread of COVID-19,” the CJN’s statement read in part.
Despite the extension, the CJN said courts would sit for urgent and time-bound matters.
“Your lordships are, however, to note that courts are expected to sit particularly to dispense matters that are urgent, essential or time-bound in line with our extant laws,” the CJN, who is also the Chairman of the National Judicial Council, added.
There should also be a modality in place to ameliorate the effect of the lockdown on Nigerian lawyers.