“A considerable amount of light has been shed on the plight of judicial officers of superior courts of record, their meagre remuneration and poor conditions of service. However, not much has been said about the even worse conditions of service that judicial officers of the lower (I would rather not use the term ‘inferior’) courts, particularly the Magistrates, are facing.” wrote Onikepo Braithwaite, in her column ‘The Advocate’, published in ThisDay of 22 Aug 2023.
Continuing, the Law Editor, said: “Even though the Magistrate Court is not a superior court of record as listed in Section 6(5)(a)-(j) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023)(the Constitution), nor is it expressly listed by name in the Constitution like the superior courts, it is still recognised in the Constitution, since it is a lower court of record established for a State covered by Section 6(4)(1) & (5)(k) of the Constitution.”
The deplorable conditions of Nigerian magistrates came to the limelight on Wednesday 4th of October when a Magistrate in Anambra State Judiciary was captured on camera riding on a motor bike on her way to court.
Her Worship was headed to the Neni Chief Magistrates’ Court from Nri all in Anambra State.
As it stands, public affairs commentators and analysts are questioning why the Chief Judge of Anambra and the Governor, including Anambra NBA are insensitive to the plight of these judicial workers or what it implies to the populace.
Hopefully those concerned will heed the parting words of Ms. Braithwaite. “It is time for the State Governors/Governments to therefore, do the needful. The salaries and allowances of Magistrates, are overripe for a healthy upward review. It seems that the Nigerian Magistrates, may be in the category of the worst paid. How can dignity be restored to the Magistracy. when Magistrates ride on okadas and struggle for public transportation?”
