News Investigators/ Stakeholders in Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States have decried the neglect of magistrates’ welfare, warning that the situation could undermine effective justice delivery.
The stakeholders expressed their views in a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, calling on the Federal and State Governments to urgently improve the welfare of magistrates to curb corruption and strengthen the judiciary.
In Kogi State, civil society organisations (CSOs) and legal practitioners described the poor welfare conditions of magistrates as detrimental to the administration of justice.
They urged governments to prioritise improved salaries, allowances, accommodation and official vehicles for magistrates and other judges of lower courts.
Mr Waniko Emmanuel, Chairman of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Kogi State Chapter, said that no magistrate in the state had been provided with official accommodation or vehicles.
According to him, magistrates are compelled to use public transport, including buses, tricycles and motorcycles, despite the sensitive and isolated nature of their duties.
“You can still see a magistrate sharing accommodation with litigants, which exposes them to security risks.
“The Chief Judge, Justice Josiah Majebi, is doing his best to document their challenges and present them to the state government for redress,” Emmanuel said.
He noted that judges of the Upper and Area Courts faced similar challenges, unlike High Court Judges and judges of appellate courts who had been provided with vehicles by successive administrations.
Mrs Hanatu Abdul, a State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, said the welfare of magistrates largely depended on the financial capacity and budgetary allocation of individual states.
She said that improved funding for the judiciary would translate into better welfare for magistrates and faster dispensation of justice.
“The welfare of magistrates in the states depends on the allocation made available to the judiciary, which in turn determines what is provided for them,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Ola Oyetunji, a Kogi-based legal practitioner, said adequate welfare would help reduce bribery and corruption within the judiciary.
“When judicial officers are well taken care of, it strengthens the justice system and promotes integrity,” Oyetunji said.
Amb. Idris Muraina, the Executive Director of Renaissance Care and Empowerment Foundation (RECEF), said magistrate courts were closest to the grassroots and played a critical role in justice delivery.
He urged governments to prioritise the provision of accommodation and transportation to safeguard magistrates.
Similarly, Mr Miliki Abdul, Executive Director of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution (CHRCR), called for the creation of a special intervention fund to improve magistrates’ welfare.
“Although some improvements have been made for judiciary workers in Kogi State, more still needs to be done,” he said.
Mr Jibril Olademeji, Kogi High Court Chief Registrar, said the Chief Judge had forwarded several requests to Gov. Ahmed Ododo to address the welfare challenges of magistrates and judges of lower courts.
In Nasarawa State, lawyers, CSOs and community leaders urged the government to upgrade the welfare of magistrates to be at par with that of High Court Judges.
Barr. Abdullahi Bako said that magistrates played a vital role in the justice system and should be adequately catered for to reduce their vulnerability to corruption.
He noted that the current welfare package for magistrates was inadequate and did not reflect the important role they played in the justice system.
Bako maintained that poor welfare had lowered morale among magistrates and negatively affected the efficiency of the justice system.
Mrs Martha Akawu, a civil society advocate, commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for improvements in court infrastructure and regular promotions in the judiciary.
She, however, urged the government to do more to improve the welfare of judges of lower courts.
Also, Mr James Matthew, a community leader, called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to establish uniform welfare standards for judges at all levels in order to guard against compromise.
In Niger State, Dr Abdullah Jabi, a public commentator and security expert, said that prioritising magistrates’ welfare was essential for justice sector reform.
He said state governments were statutorily responsible for providing accommodation, vehicles and adequate welfare packages for magistrates.
“I cannot understand why the laws establishing magistrate courts clearly provided for their welfare even before they assume office, yet states fail to comply.
“Failure to address these issues will only encourage corruption and weaken the justice system,” Jabi said.
Similarly, Mr Muhammad Abdulkadir-Lapai, a legal practitioner, called for improved remuneration, quality accommodation and official vehicles for magistrates.
He said better welfare would enhance justice delivery and help decongest correctional centres through speedy trials.
“With improved welfare packages, justice will be delivered faster, restoring public confidence in the judiciary,” Lapai said.
NAN
