The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has closed down the popular Jabi Lake Mall indefinitely after violation of Presidential Task Force’s ban on public gatherings as measures to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
This order by the FCT Task Force comes less than 24 hours after superstar musician Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley entertained fun seekers around the area.
Naira Marley came under intense criticism for performing at a concert that recorded massive attendance.
It was gathered that Naira Marley flew from Lagos to Abuja with Ex-BBNaija star, Kimoprah, despite the ban on interstate movement and local flights.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja after sealing the mall, Chairman of the Ministerial Enforcement Taskteam on COVID-19 Restrictions, Ikharo Attah, lamented despite several warnings from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the FCT Administration on guidelines to operate, the management of the Jabi Lake Mall chose to encourage and permits a concerts by their customer Naira Marley and also conducting business activities to exceeding the normal hours allowed by the authorities.
He further disclosed the administration has secured a judgement from a mobile court headed by Magistrate Idayat Akonni who sat in the malls premises in Jabi to seal up the mall for two weeks for default of the COVID-19 protocols bearing three count charges on the Mall.
Ikharo explained that the seal up order was necessitated by the unlawful and embarrassing event at the mall on Friday night.
When asked if the FCT administration plans to declare Marley wanted, Attah said: “He flew in to Abuja Friday from Lagos and returned back same day to the nations forma Capital City.
“We are convinced that the Lagos state govt who had in recent past had unpleasant experience with the artist will do the needful since he also breached the inter state travel ban which applies to Lagos state”.
Many Abuja residents have criticised organizers of the event for holding such during the COVID-19 pandemic saga.
They are of the views that Naira Marley should be sanctioned for performing and violating the PTF protocols.
