C/RIVER: Magistrate collapses in Calabar during protest over 24-month unpaid salary

A MAGISTRATE, Richard Edet, collapsed today while joining his colleagues in protesting the non-payment of their 24 months’ salaries.

Edet collapsed during the protest held in front of the Cross River Governor’s office complex in Calabar, the state capital.

The magistrate was later revived by his colleagues who administered him with milk, Soft drink and water, according to the Vanguard.

Over 20 magistrates came in their full regalia to make their voices heard over their unpaid salaries.

The protest, which was started by Safiya Iyeh Ashipu of the Chief Magistrate Court, Odukpani, as a “lone man protest”, on Monday, expanded into a full-fledged protest in front of the Governor’s office.

Protesting against the displeasure, the magistrates demanded the payment of their two years’ salaries. They were dressed in their full regalia because there were already insinuations that they were not who they claimed to be.

According to them, they had not received a dime since their employment into the state civil service by the Governor Ben Ayade-led administration.

Reportedly, while 30 of them were employed from private practice,15 others were drawn from the Ministry of Justice totaling 45.