Cross River magistrates threaten strike over non-promotion, arrears

Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Cross River State chapter has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to effect the promotion of magistrates or embark on a two-week warning strike.

They threatened to withdraw their services from November 13, 2024, at the instance and subsequently embarked on an indefinite strike action. 

The Magistrate’s Association issued the warning in a communique drafted and signed by the Chairman, His Worship, Godwin Onah, and the General Secretary, His Worship, Solomon Abuo, at the end of the congress held on November 5, 2024, at the Chief Magistrate’s Court Complex in Calabar.

The aggrieved Magistrates said the government failed to implement their promotions since 2015 despite the fact that between January to April 2024, the state Governor, Senator Bassey Otu effected the promotion of other civil servants in the state.

They also accused the state government of paltry payments and what they described as a ridiculous sum of N15,000 as monthly impress for Magistrates.

According to them, the amount is inadequate to cater for office stationery and other logistics, lamenting that, their counterparts in neighboring states receive between N200, 000 to N250, 000 monthly impress.

They however demanded the immediate implementation of promotion and regularization of Magistrates in the state with necessary financial benefits across all cadres as well as the implementation of all accrued arrears.

“Immediate provision of official vehicles to all Magistrates in Cross River State and payment of at least N200,000 monthly impress to all Magistrates in Cross River State,” they said.

“Onward payment of yearly robing allowance to Magistrates. Provision of official accommodation to Magistrates of Cross River State and undertaking burial expenses for any deceased Magistrate.

“Others include the immediate payment of the earned and accrued two years’ salary arrears for the 2019 batch of Magistrates and the renovation of the dilapidated Magistrate’s courts in Cross River State.”

The Congress further resolved that “failure of government to hearken to the cry of Magistrates and grant the above demands within Seven Days, would leave Magistrates with no other option but to strike for two weeks from Wednesday 13th November 2024.