.No hope in sight as ultimatum to state govt expires tomorrow
By Yahaya Umar
Magistrates in Cross River State under the auspices of Magistrates Association of Nigeria, MAN, barring any last minute change are poised to embarked on a planned indefinite strike over unmet welfare demands as MAN”s seven days ultimatum to the State government expires tomorrow.
AljazirahNigeria reports that the decision is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a general congress of the MAN, Cross River State Chapter, held last Friday.
According to the communique the planned indefinite strike is to take effect from next Monday, over the state government’s failure to address their welfare and security-related demands.
Although, MAN commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for approving the immediate implementation of promotions and the regularisation of Magistrates, with attendant financial benefits, the association expressed concern that seven other critical demands remain unaddressed.
The association, however, recalled that its members had earlier resolved to embark on an indefinite strike following a communiqué issued on November 5, 2024, but suspended it after the personal intervention of the Governor with a view to allowing time to address their demands.
The outstanding issues of welfare, security and conditions of service, have continued to cause hardship and disaffection among magistrates, with implications for the effective administration of justice in the state.
The MAN communiqué jointly signed by its Chairman, Godwin Onah, and the General Secretary, Solomon Abuo, made available to AljazirahNigeria read in part thus:
“In view of the foregoing, the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter, has resolved to resume the suspended indefinite strike after the expiration of seven days”.
“Your Excellency (Governor Out) can recall that magistrates in Cross River State under the auspices of Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Cross River State chapter had resolved to embark on an indefinite strike action to press home our demands as listed in our communique of 5th November 2024.
“Your Excellency would equally recall that upon your personal intervention through a meeting you held with the Chairman, Secretary and other selected members of MAN in November 2024, wherein you promised to act on our demands, we decided to suspend the strike action to give you toom to address our demands”.
AljazirahNigeria reports that the incumbent administration of Governor Bassey Otu inherited this Magistrates quagmire from the previous administration of Professor Ben Ayade.
