The Magistrates’ courts in Cross River State are on an indefinite strike due to dissatisfaction with their monthly imprest of ₦15,000, the lack of which they claim is insufficient and leading to poor welfare and working conditions.

Although Magistrates’ courts are considered inferior courts in Nigeria, they have jurisdiction over some cases that affect a greater number of citizens. The Court has limited jurisdiction, which is based on the type and value of the subject matter.

But despite the nearness of Magistrates’ courts to ordinary Nigerian and the enormous responsibility of Magistrates’, these set of judicial officers are often treated with disdain. While judges of courts of record are treated fairly, Magistrates’ sweat and struggle to discharge their duties. The situation was the same in Cross River state where Magistrates use blood, sweat and saliva to preside over courts.

In November, the Magistrates’ issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to effect promotion for its members that have remained stagnant since 2015. They also complained that the N15,000 monthly imprest paid to them was too little and insufficient. The Magistrates in Cross River State on Monday began an indefinite strike to protest poor welfare and other conditions of service.

Specifically, the magistrates are not happy with the payment of N15,000 as monthly imprest compared to about N250,000 received by colleagues in neighbouring states.

In a release jointly signed by Mr. Godwin Onah, Cross River Chairman of Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Secretary, Mr. Solomon Abuo the magistrates said the strike will begin on Monday.

The Magistrates insist that the strike will not cease until their demands are met by the government, adding that they had earlier embarked on 3-day warning strike to press home their demands.

They warned that they will commence an indefinite industrial action should the government fail to meet their demands by midnight of Sunday, 8 December, 2024.

According to them, the government have failed to implement their promotions and see to their overall welfare and working environment.

The statement dated 8 December 2024 noted that following the expiration of the warning strike, the magistrates have decided to embark on an indefinite strike from Monday, 9 December 2024.

The statement reads in part: “Furthermore, sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River State dated 11th November 2024, where the notice of strike, was extended to 22 November 2024 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 am on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, to Friday, November 29, 2024. If the state government fails to meet our demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met.”

They also decried the payment of N15,000 as monthly imprest to magistrates in the state when compared to magistrates in neighbouring states that receive between N200,000 and N250,000 monthly.

While also demanding the rehabilitation of magistrate courts across the state, the association further condemned the government for not providing official vehicles to its members.

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.

Before the warning strike, the magistrates had earlier in November issued a seven days ultimatum to the state government to effect promotion for its members that have remained stagnant since 2015