Stakeholders in the judiciary have urged the South-South governments to intervene in the provision and replacement of vehicles for the magistrates in the region to ensure their security and enhance justice delivery. The stakeholders in the region made the remark while responding to a survey on magistrates’ welfare.

They, however, called for the rehabilitation of the magistrates’ courts as well as those in the suburbs.

A Uyo-based lawyer, Uwem Noah, bemoaned the situation in which magistrates travel to work by public transportation, saying that such exposes them to insecurity.

‘’This, to some extent, may bring about low morale and productivity in the discharge of their duties,’’ Mr Noah said.

Mr Noah noted that some magistrates were still living in rented apartments, except for a few female magistrates, whose husbands were well-to-do, who were living in their permanent apartments. He said that some of the magistrates’ courtrooms were still not conducive enough to enhance the proper dispensation of justice.

He added that, apart from magistrates, the chairmen of district courts were not provided with care, as they travel to court on motorcycles.

Mr Noah said the magistrates’ situation was unlike that of the judges, who, once appointed, had an official car, driver, and security detail.

He urged the state government to alleviate the suffering of magistrates by ensuring they and the district court chairmen receive a comprehensive welfare package, on par with that of judges, to boost their morale.

Eyibio Okon, a legal practitioner in Uyo, said that the magistrates were not properly treated, as their welfare was not commensurate with their office.

Mr Okon lamented the poor working conditions of the magistrates, saying that some of them, appointed many years ago, were still using public transport to get to work.

“Yes, that is correct, even in Uyo, where I am, I know magistrates who were appointed since the last administration and are still using public transport to work,” stated Mr Okon. “I am in sympathy with the magistrates because if you want justice delivered, the man who is to deliver justice must be taken care of.”

Mr Okon added, ‘’Otherwise, you may be pushing him or her to begin to take a bribe; maltreatment of the magistrates by the state government is a perception that may affect justice delivery.”

Mr Okon added that maltreatment of magistrates would not only affect the delivery of justice but also delay it, while worsening corruption.

He added that the National Judiciary Council of Nigeria was responsible for ensuring judges’ welfare, explaining that once a judge was appointed, he was entitled to a car, a house, and other benefits.

“Once someone is appointed a judge, he moves straight to a house given to him by the government, and that is done by NJCN. However, Magistrates don’t have that kind of protection. The only protection they have is the NBA,” Mr Okon explained.

Mr Okon urged the magistrates to identify with the NBA to seek help and to adopt an appropriate approach to drive home their demands to the state government.

Sunday Okon-Akpan, a lawyer, worried about magistrates becoming corrupt due to inadequate welfare.

“When this happens, every other sector or strata of the society, be it social, economy, politics, education, health, sports, agriculture, justice, security, or family, will be in jeopardy,” Mr Okon-Akpan said.

However, Aniekan Umanah, the information commissioner, said that the government had fulfilled its obligations to judicial officers.

Mr Umanah said that the government regularly paid salaries and allowances of all public officers, including magistrates.

In Cross River, Godwin Onah, a chief magistrate, said that for over 15 years, magistrates in the state had suffered without official vehicles, promotions, official residences, medical coverage, or any meaningful welfare support.

He added that the magistrates had not received any government sponsorship for conferences or professional development.

“Rent allowances owed to some magistrates have remained unpaid for several years, compounding their hardship,” stated Mr Onah. “Three magistrates died in 2024 due to health challenges. Their deaths were due to a lack of healthcare support.”

Some magistrates were attacked at their homes recently and threatened by litigants, according to Mr Onah.

Mr Onah, the chairman of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria in Cross River, decried the deplorable condition of magistrates’ court buildings, from Calabar to Obanliku. He, however, said that in 2024, Governor Bassey Otu promised to intervene.

He appealed to the government to expedite action on the intervention to prevent further loss of lives and the erosion of judicial dignity.

Richard Inoyo, the country director of Citizens Solution Network, faulted the Cross River government for neglecting the magistrates’ welfare.

Mr Inoyo alleged that political officeholders were prioritised in the areas of vehicles, allowances and benefits, while statutory officers, including magistrates, were left unattended. He warned that poor welfare for magistrates could undermine the delivery of justice, noting that neglected judicial officers faced pressure that could encourage corruption and compromise the rule of law.

Mr Inoyo called for an urgent review of the state’s welfare priorities, urging the governor to focus on civil servants and judicial officers who are critical to governance and social stability.

In Rivers, Cordelia Eke, the chairwoman of the Nigerian Bar Association, highlighted the need for housing arrangements and vehicle replacement for magistrates and customary court chairmen.

She acknowledged that Rivers’ magistrates were not being totally neglected, but added that challenges facing the justice sector could affect service delivery and erode public confidence in the judicial system.

She said the challenges included the poor conditions of branch facilities, lack of basic amenities and inadequate functional buses for branches.’

Ms Eke called for the relocation of courts to their various jurisdictions, appointment of more customary court chairpersons and members, and adequate funding for the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee.

She also restated the need for genuine consultation with the Bar in the appointment of judicial officers, citing concerns about the suitability and integrity of some appointees.

Eke added that there would be transparency and respect for due process in future appointments and called for full computerisation of the court for efficient judicial delivery.

(NAN)