Strike: Magistrates Disrupt Courts Operations; Demand Official Cars, Promotion

Magistrates in Cross River state are angry with the state government for denying them official vehicles and promotion. To express their indignation, the magistrate have embarked on a three day warning strike.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the strike which began on Wednesday could become an indefinite one if the government failed to accede to their demands.

Announcing the strike action in a statement yesterday,  the state chairman of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria and his secretary, Godwin  Onah and Solomon Abuo, said they embarked on the strike because of the poor welfare of their members.

The association’s leaders noted, for instance, that they have not been promoted for nine years, as the state government appears to have put a cap on promotion for magistrates.

The situation in the Bassey Otu-led state is worse compared to neighbouring states, where magistrates receive what they are entitled to from their respective government, the magistrates alleged.

Also, the magistrate said heads of Magistrate courts in the state receive a paltry N15,000 as monthly impress, too small to manage the courts, adding that magistrates in neighboring states receive as much as N250,000 monthly imprest.

Adding that they have taken all necessary steps to gain the attention of the state government, the magistrates said strike appeared to be the last resort to press home their demands.

The statement reads, “Furthermore, sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River State dated November 11 where the notice of strike, was extended to Friday November 22 to enable the State Government to attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.

“In line therefore with our congress resolution to proceed on a warning strike, three days warning strike is hereby declared by the state chapter of the magistrates.

“This action in the first instance, will be effective from 6:00 a.m. of Wednesday, November 27 to Friday, November 29. If the state government fails to meet our demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met.”