Gov. Bassey Otu.
By Anietie Akpan
Magistrate Courts in Cross River State have remained under lock and keys as Magistrates in the State on Monday, February 9, commenced an indefinite strike action.
The Magistrates had in a communiqué issued at the end of a General Congress of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Cross River State Chapter, held on Friday, January 30, threatened to embark on an indefinite strike with effect on February 9 without further notice, if the key demands of the association bordering on welfare and security were not met.
Accordingly, Magistrates in the state made good their threats as they commenced the indefinite strike action today and all magistrate courts were deserted, the police and the Correctional Centres could not take suspects and those awaiting trials to the courts for trials.
The General Secretary of MAN, Solomon Abuo in a brief telephone interview with Pillar Today, confirmed that the strike action has commenced.
He said, “it (the strike) has commenced and we resolute on our demands.We are waiting for the government response and the strike is indefinite”.
In an earlier communique issued by MAN, the association recalled that its members had earlier resolved to embark on an indefinite strike following a communiqué issued on November 5, 2024, but suspended the action after the personal intervention of Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
The communiqué which was jointly signed by the Chairman of MAN in the state, Godwin Onah and the General Secretary, Abuo said, the suspension was to allow the governor time to address their demands.
They commended the governor for approving the immediate implementation of promotions and regularisation of magistrates with attendant financial benefits, but expressed concern that seven other critical demands remain unattended to.
MAN noted that the outstanding issues, which border on welfare, security, and conditions of service, have continued to cause hardship and disaffection among magistrates, with implications for the effective administration of justice in the state.
The association said several reminder letters dated November 11, 2024, July 10, 2025, and October 2, 2025, were sent to the state government, but no concrete action has been taken on the remaining demands.
