Cross River State Faces Judicial Logjam as Magistrates Embark on Warning Strike
Magistrates in Cross River State have embarked on a three-day warning strike, which commenced on Wednesday, to protest against poor welfare and unsatisfactory working conditions. The action, which will last until Friday, 29 November, was announced in a joint statement by Godwin Onah, Chairperson of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Cross River, and Secretary Solomon Abuo, in Calabar.
The magistrates’ grievances stem from the government’s failure to implement their promotions, address welfare issues, and improve the working environment. Despite previously issuing a communique on 5 November and sending a letter to the Governor on 11 November, which extended the notice for strike action, the state government has not met their demands.
In their statement, the magistrates emphasized that if their concerns are not addressed, they will escalate the strike to an indefinite one until all their demands are fully met. The strike follows an earlier seven-day ultimatum issued to the state government for the promotion of magistrates who have been stagnant in their positions since 2015.
The association also voiced their frustration over the meager N15,000 monthly imprest paid to magistrates in Cross River, which is significantly lower than the N200,000 to N250,000 received by their counterparts in neighboring states. They are also calling for the rehabilitation of magistrate courts across the state and the provision of official vehicles to magistrates, which they claim is currently not being provided.
The group is also demanding the immediate implementation of promotions and regularization of magistrates with financial benefits across all cadres, as well as the payment of all accrued arrears.
This warning strike highlights the escalating tension between the magistrates and the state government, with the potential for a prolonged strike if their demands remain unaddressed.
