Indefinite Strike: Cross River Magistrates Make Fresh Demands

By Kelvin Ololo

The Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Cross River State Chapter, has tabled a fresh set of far-reaching demands before Governor Bassey Otu, calling for improved welfare packages, official vehicles, accommodation allowances, and urgent renovation of courts across the state.

The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting of the Association held on February 11, 2026, at the Chief Magistrates’ Court Complex, Moore Road, Calabar.

The document, dated February 11, 2026, was jointly signed by the Chairman of MAN, Cross River State Chapter, His Worship Godwin O. Onah, and the General Secretary, His Worship Solomon O. Abuo was addressed to Governor Otu through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and made available to CrossRiverWatch.

The communiqué referenced an earlier correspondence from the Ministry of Justice dated February 10, 2026 (Ref: MOJ/AG/COM/13/VOL.111/30), which responded to issues raised by the magistrates during their general meeting held on November 5, 2024.

On the upward review of magistrates’ monthly imprest from N15,000 to N100,000, the association expressed appreciation to the state government but insisted that the new amount must take immediate effect from January 2026.

The body also demanded that the imprest be subjected to annual upward review. It directed that payments be made into the account of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter, domiciled with Eco Bank (Account No: 3352051769).

While the state government reportedly proposed to provide about 15 official vehicles in the first phase by the end of March 2026, MAN rejected the figure as inadequate.

The association resolved that 74 vehicles be purchased and delivered on or before May 31, 2026. Alternatively, it proposed that 37 vehicles be delivered on or before March 31, 2026, with the remaining 37 supplied on or before June 30, 2026.

On the issue of burial assistance for two deceased magistrates, the Association acknowledged the government’s promise to release the funds on or before February 13, 2026, and expressed appreciation for the commitment.

However, MAN is requesting a wardrobe allowance of N500,000 per annum for each magistrate, effective from January 2026, in line with provisions earlier contained in its communiqué.

Pending the provision of official quarters, MAN demanded that each magistrate be paid N2,000,000 annually as accommodation allowance. It argued that the measure is necessary to prevent situations where magistrates are evicted from rented apartments – a development it described as currently occurring.

The Benchers also called for the immediate renovation of all dilapidated Magistrate Courts across Cross River State, describing the matter as urgent.

The latest demands of the Association underscore growing pressure on the Cross River State Government to address long-standing welfare and infrastructural concerns within the lower judiciary, a critical arm of the justice system that handles the bulk of criminal and civil matters at the grassroots level.