“In Cross Rivers Magistrates Board Same Vehicles With Criminals” – Association Threatens Strike

By Ayodele Oni

The Cross Rivers State chapter of Magistrates Association of Nigeria, (MAN) has cried out against its members boarding public vehicles along with criminals and litigants, thereby putting their life at risk.

The association has therefore threatened to down tools from Wednesday, due to non-promotion of its members, which has remained stagnant since the year 2015.

The Magistrates numbering 70, decried the payment of N15,000 as monthly imprest to them as compared to magistrates in neighbouring states who receive between N200,000 and N250,000 monthly.

This is contained in a communique, signed by Godwin Onah and Solomon Abuo, President and Secretary, respectively, after the meeting of the association in Calabar.

The association, which listed other demands for government’s prompt action, threatened that it will withdraw its services from the said date after which it will embark on an indefinite strike, if the government fails to implement their demands.

While also demanding for the rehabilitation of magistrate courts across the state, the association lamented non- provision of official vehicles to it members by government.

It further demanded immediate implementation of promotion and regularisation of magistrates in the  state with necessary financial benefits across all cadres, as well as the implementation of all accrued arrears.

“From the above and based on the need to protect the welfare of members, uphold minimum standards as well as the sanctity of the magistrates in Cross River, we need  immediate action on our demands.

“Magistrates are seen daily hopping on public commercial vehicles most times alongside litigants and criminal suspects standing trial before them, with the attendant security risk to their lives.

“Failure of government to pay magistrates yearly robing allowance as applicable in other jurisdictions nationwide.

“We demand immediate implementation of promotion and regularisation of magistrates in Cross River State with necessary financial benefits across all cadres as well as the implementation of all accrued arrears.

“Congress resolved and demanded the government to hearken to the cry of Magistrates and grant the above demands within seven days.

“This will leave magistrates with no other option but to embark on a warning industrial action for two weeks in line with the extant labour laws effective Wednesday 13th by withdrawing our services across the state.

“This will be at the first instance, and subsequently embark on an indefinite strike action until our demands are fully attended to.”