We’ve been reduced to beggars — Cross River magistrates protesting unpaid two-year salaries
Published 6 February 2021
Some magistrates in Cross River State recently protested for several days at the governor’s office over two years’ unpaid salaries. Their leader, Solomon Abuo, tells ADA WODU about the plight of the magistrates
It is about a month now that you and your fellow magistrates were withdrawn from the courts. What is the situation now?
Since our withdrawal from our courts via a letter dated January 4, 2021 but served on us on January 14, 2021, we have been staying at home in compliance with the directive of the former acting Chief Judge, Justice Eyo Effiom-Ita. On January 18, 2021, we wrote a letter captioned, “Re: Withdrawal From Sitting in Court” to the then acting Chief Judge through the Chief Registrar. We appealed to the acting Chief Judge to reverse the indefinite withdrawal or sit-at-home directive as it would affect our zeal and passion for the job and also affect our annual performance evaluation. Since the receipt of our letter on January 18, 2021, we haven’t received any response to it or heard anything on the matter.