Cross River magistrates reject government’s vehicle offer, strike continues

Members of the Cross River State chapter of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN) have rejected the state government’s proposal to provide only 15 official vehicles, insisting that the offer falls far short of their original demand for 74.

Magistrate Solomon Abuo, Secretary of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Calabar that the government’s partial offer was deemed insufficient and could create operational difficulties for magistrates across the state.

Abuo disclosed that the association has engaged in two rounds of talks with government representatives over the past week, with the latest meeting occurring on Tuesday night.

The magistrates, he said, were still awaiting a final response from the state government.

“There are 74 magistrates in Cross River State, yet the government has only committed to providing 15 official vehicles by the end of March.

”This is far below what we consider acceptable,” Abuo said. “Our alternative proposal is either to receive 37 vehicles by March and the remaining 37 by the end of June, or the full 74 by May.”

He confirmed that the association accepted the government’s increase of the monthly imprest allowance from N15,000 to N100,000, on the condition that payments commence immediately and are backdated to January.

The government also agreed to provide N1.5 million in burial assistance for deceased members.

Of the three magistrates who passed away in 2025, one family has already received payment, while the remaining two are expected to be compensated by Friday.

However, Abuo expressed concern over the government’s silence regarding other critical demands, including adequate accommodation for magistrates and the renovation of magistrate courts throughout the state.

 “We face persistent difficulties with housing, sometimes resulting in embarrassment from landlords, and even complications within our courts.

”While we understand that accommodation requires long-term planning, we have requested an alternative arrangement of N2 million annually per magistrate,” he said.

The issue of wardrobe allowance, pegged at N500,000 annually per magistrate, also remains unresolved, he added.

The Cross River chapter of MAN resumed its suspended strike on Monday, following a general meeting on January 30 where members expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to fulfill previous commitments.

In a letter signed by Chairman Godwin Onah and Secretary Solomon Abuo, the magistrates cited the government’s reneging on earlier promises as the reason for restarting the industrial action.