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Light humour marks the official opening of new Magistrates’ Court

Magistrates’ Court has been given its official opening, at a ceremony in court one characterised by lighthearted remarks.Governor Richard Gozney told the gathering: “I shall find it very difficult to think of this building when I watch the news about the latest cases.”Referring to the former court building, he said: “I have been watching, for three years, people coming out of a rather nice cricket pavilion.”Sir Richard likened the new, marble-fronted facility to a 21st century hospital, adding: “What you deliver is fair treatment for all.”Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo, meanwhile, declared himself “both confused and delighted” with the court’s official opening.“I was confused because when we moved in here three months ago, I was under the impression that we were officially open for business,” he said.Referring to a recent case in which he granted a controversial conditional discharge, Mr Tokunbo added: “I was delighted because perhaps that wasn’t an official sentence.”Congratulations were given by Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner, Acting Chief Justice Ian Kawaley and Attorney General and Justice Minister Michael Scott.The ceremony itself may have contravened the law: A headcount suggested there were more than the 116 present.According to a sign on the wall, occupancy of court one by greater than 116 people is against the law.