Court proceedings in magistrate courts across Cross River State may be grounded following the commencement of an indefinite strike by magistrates over unresolved welfare and service-condition issues.

The industrial action was announced in Bulletin No. 3 dated February 9, 2026, issued by the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Cross River State chapter, directing its members to withdraw their services with immediate effect.

The bulletin, signed by the association’s Chairman, His Worship Godwin O. Onah, and Secretary, Solomon O. Abuo, instructed magistrates to abstain from all official duties, including court sittings, until further notice.

MAN said the strike followed the state government’s failure to address an eight-point demand submitted after a general meeting held on November 5, 2024.

The demands include the implementation of pending promotions; payment of arrears of financial benefits; provision of monthly imprest and robing allowance; settlement of salary arrears owed to the 2019 batch of magistrates; provision of official accommodation and vehicles; and renovation of magistrate courts across the state.

The association said it had made several attempts to resolve the issues through dialogue, including a letter to the governor dated November 11, 2024, which extended an earlier strike notice, as well as subsequent bulletins issued in November and December 2024 announcing warning and indefinite strike actions.

According to MAN, its most recent appeal was contained in a letter dated February 2, 2026, but the state government failed to respond. (Guardian)

Update news