Scores of staff members of the Court of Appeal, Abuja have been denied entry into the court premises for coming late to work on Thursday.

The Nation reported that the order was given by the court’s President, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem after discovering that majority of the staff were not in their offices, while some were just strolling in after the official resumption period.

Security personnel of the court were said to have locked the entrance upon the president’s directives, barring vehicles, including some directors and staff buses.

The development has affected the flow of traffic as those locked out were forced to park outside the main entrance up to the main road leading to the Federal Secretariat and the Force headquarters.

Confirming the report, an official of the court, who pleaded anonymously said, “My lord (the President) went round some of the offices this morning and found out that they were all empty.

“Most staff are in the habit of coming late, while some have even said they will resume by next year.

“So, she directed the security personnel to lock the gate so that those coming late would not be allowed to enter with their vehicles.

“Even staff buses are affected. You can see they are all packed outside.

“We are, however, not sure what penalties would be visited on the erring staff at the end of the day.”