Magistrates issue seven-day strike ultimatum to Cross River govt

The Cross River State chapter of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN) has given the state government a seven-day deadline to address their promotion issues and other demands, or they will initiate a two-week warning strike.

They warned that if their requests are not met by November 13, 2024, they will withdraw their services and potentially proceed to an indefinite strike.

This warning was communicated in a statement issued by the Association’s Chairman, His Worship Godwin Onah, and General Secretary, His Worship Solomon Abuo, following a congress on November 5, 2024, at the Chief Magistrate’s Court Complex in Calabar.

The dissatisfied magistrates accused the state government of failing to implement promotions since 2015 while noting that other civil servants had received promotions between January and April 2024 under Governor Senator Bassey Otu.

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Additionally, they criticized the meager monthly allowance of N15,000 given to magistrates as insufficient to cover office supplies and various logistics, especially compared to their colleagues in neighboring states who earn between N200,000 and N250,000 monthly.

They demand the immediate implementation of promotions and regularization of magistrates, along with financial entitlements, as well as the settlement of arrears.

They also requested official vehicles for all magistrates, an increased monthly allowance of at least N200,000, annual robing allowances, official housing, and coverage for burial expenses for deceased magistrates.

Furthermore, they are seeking the prompt payment of two years’ salary arrears for the 2019 cohort of magistrates and the renovation of the dilapidated magistrate courts in the state.

The magistrates urged the government to act quickly to address these issues, expressing that the ongoing delays have caused frustration and low morale among judicial officers.

The congress resolved that if the government fails to respond to their demands within the seven-day timeframe, the magistrates will have no choice but to initiate a two-week warning strike starting November 13, 2024, followed by an indefinite strike until their issues are fully addressed.

This strike threat underscores the rising dissatisfaction within the judiciary, as magistrates call on the state government to fulfill its responsibilities to ensure the effective functioning of the justice system, which could impact court operations and the timely administration of justice.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE