A new magistrate court has been inaugurated at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja to adjudicate on civil and criminal matters within the airport and environs.
The court is also a response to dealing with issues of touting and other illegal activities at the airport.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Court on Thursday at the Abuja Airport, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Rabiu Yadudu said “it is very auspicious that the Magistrate courts that we have been working so hard on locating at the airport since 2017, has become a reality.
“We have been on this journey since 2017. | recall that the then CJ appointed a Magistrate for the Court, but it was not ready. We were all disappointed but we did not relent, because we believed it was what we needed” he further noted..
He further explained that the “new FAAN Act which is now known as the Federal Airports Authority Act 2022, has by virtue of section 39, given the Authority the power to, with the approval of the Minister of Aviation make Bye laws for the purpose of giving effect to the Act.”
“l am aware that the Federal High Court has jurisdiction over Aviation matters, but am also aware that there are certain criminal and civil matters for which the Magistrate Court has jurisdiction, it is our hope that this Court with both civil and criminal jurisdiction will be effective in the administration and quick dispensation of justice” he noted..
He indicated that the commissioning of the court is an outcome of effective team work, and collaboration between the judiciary and the Airports Authority.
