Magistrates Resume Protest Over Unpaid 26 Months Salaries In Cross River

…says Gov’t not sincere about their plight

Magistrates in Cross River, Monday resumed protest over their 26
months unpaid salaries at the Governor’s office in Calabar.

The magistrates who were 29 in number manned the entrance of the
Government House, Calabar wielding different placards with various
inscriptions such as “29 esquires are in penury pay us our 26
months salaries”, “Ayade stop oppressing Cross River Judiciary, pay
us our salaries” amongst other inscriptions.

Recall that on January 8 the magistrates had protested while it
was still 24 months unpaid salary arrears but had to dialogue with
the state government to find amicable ways to sort out the
Imbroglio which has apparently failed.

Speaking with newsmen at the entrance to the governor’s office
during the protest on Monday, leader of the group, Mr Solomon Abuo,
a Chief Magistrate with the Cross River Judiciary said they
suspended the first protest in January to give room for the
government to start work immediately in ensuring that they got
payrolled.

Abuo said while they were waiting, the governor called them to a
meeting and in that meeting, formed a committee headed by the
deputy governor and gave them one week to look into the issues and
give a report so they could be payrolled.

His words: “That meeting took place on Jan. 19, so we waited
till the end of Jan. and nothing happened, so, we went to the
deputy governor and he told us that they couldn’t conclude their
work within one week.

“He told us that it won’t be possible for us to receive Jan.
salaries that we will start receiving our salaries from February
because by then they will be done with their report.

“Even when Mr Olumide Apata president of the Nigerian Bar
Association, NBA, came down to Calabar and had a meeting with the
state government and proffered suggestions on how the issue could
be resolved, nothing was done.

“Recently we learnt that the committee had completed its work
and sent its recommendations to the governor and the governor has
still refused to act on it.

“We have given the governor enough time and made some
concessions which are four possible options on how to add us to the
payroll system and pay us but nothing is being done.

“If the government was sincere, it would have taken one of the
options but the report was sent before Feb. salaries were paid, now
we are in March making it 26 months,” he said.

Speaking further, Abuo hinted that they have had three meetings
with the newly sworn-in substantive Chief Judge of the State
Justice Akon Ikpeme and she maintained that she was doing something
about the issue and needed more time.

When contacted, the Senior Special Adviser, Media and Publicity
to Gov. Ayade, declined commenting on the matter.

However, a government official who pleaded anonymity told
Vanguard that the governor had given instructions for the deputy
governor, Prof. Ivara Esu to handle the matter and a report has
already been drafted and the matter would be treated
accordingly.

Moreso, the protesting magistrates have vowed to continue
protesting peacefully until they were paid their salaries no matter
how long it took.

…says Gov’t not sincere about their plight

Magistrates in Cross River, Monday resumed protest over their 26
months unpaid salaries at the Governor’s office in Calabar.

The magistrates who were 29 in number manned the entrance of the
Government House, Calabar wielding different placards with various
inscriptions such as “29 esquires are in penury pay us our 26
months salaries”, “Ayade stop oppressing Cross River Judiciary, pay
us our salaries” amongst other inscriptions.

Recall that on January 8 the magistrates had protested while it
was still 24 months unpaid salary arrears but had to dialogue with
the state government to find amicable ways to sort out the
Imbroglio which has apparently failed.

Speaking with newsmen at the entrance to the governor’s office
during the protest on Monday, leader of the group, Mr Solomon Abuo,
a Chief Magistrate with the Cross River Judiciary said they
suspended the first protest in January to give room for the
government to start work immediately in ensuring that they got
payrolled.

Abuo said while they were waiting, the governor called them to a
meeting and in that meeting, formed a committee headed by the
deputy governor and gave them one week to look into the issues and
give a report so they could be payrolled.

His words: “That meeting took place on Jan. 19, so we waited
till the end of Jan. and nothing happened, so, we went to the
deputy governor and he told us that they couldn’t conclude their
work within one week.

“He told us that it won’t be possible for us to receive Jan.
salaries that we will start receiving our salaries from February
because by then they will be done with their report.

“Even when Mr Olumide Apata president of the Nigerian Bar
Association, NBA, came down to Calabar and had a meeting with the
state government and proffered suggestions on how the issue could
be resolved, nothing was done.

“Recently we learnt that the committee had completed its work
and sent its recommendations to the governor and the governor has
still refused to act on it.

“We have given the governor enough time and made some
concessions which are four possible options on how to add us to the
payroll system and pay us but nothing is being done.

“If the government was sincere, it would have taken one of the
options but the report was sent before Feb. salaries were paid, now
we are in March making it 26 months,” he said.

Speaking further, Abuo hinted that they have had three meetings
with the newly sworn-in substantive Chief Judge of the State
Justice Akon Ikpeme and she maintained that she was doing something
about the issue and needed more time.

When contacted, the Senior Special Adviser, Media and Publicity
to Gov. Ayade, declined commenting on the matter.

However, a government official who pleaded anonymity told
Vanguard that the governor had given instructions for the deputy
governor, Prof. Ivara Esu to handle the matter and a report has
already been drafted and the matter would be treated
accordingly.

Moreso, the protesting magistrates have vowed to continue
protesting peacefully until they were paid their salaries no matter
how long it took.