- To enforce COVID-19 protocols
- Lines up cases for hearing
BY COBHAM NSA, ABUJA – Determined to shake off the coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns and execute its mandate as a fast-track Court, the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) is set to resume its court sittings with effect from Wednesday, May 27, 2020.
The IST’s management said having been running skeletal services since Monday, May 4, 2020 in line with Presidential directives that all Grade Levels 14 -17 Officers as well as essential workers within the Public Service to resume work, it is now ready to fully implement the National Judicial Councils (NJC) guidelines for resumption of court sittings under COVID-19.
Acting Chairman of the Tribunal, Jude Ike Udunni said it has become imperative for the Tribunal to resume court sittings in order to meet up with the responsibility of resolving capital market disputes in a timely manner.
Udunni however told a meeting of the management staff that the sittings will only deal with urgent matters not requiring the testimonies of Witnesses.
Explaining that court sittings will be physical and not virtual, he said all relevant departments must ensure all COVID-19 protocols stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are observed by staff and clients alike.
Similarly, the Acting Chairman said only lead counsels will be allowed in court in order to ensure the two (2) metres social distancing rule is strictly complied with.
According to statement by the IST Head of Corporate Affairs Department; “No Person(s) will be admitted to the Tribunal’s premises without a facemask and body temperature gauged.
“Hand sanitizers and Mechanical Hand washing machines have been placed strategically within the premises of the Tribunal.”
The statement further disclosed that the “Tribunal resumes sitting with a ruling in the matter between Engineer Bamidele Olaniyan against Partnership Investment Limited and 3 Others on Wednesday 27th May, 2020 at its court premises in Abuja.”
“Normal operations would resume in the Tribunal as events unfold and as directed by the Federal Government”, it said.
