THE INFORMANT247
16-01-2018.
~Judges/Magistrates now survive on less than N10,000 per month.
Reports reaching THE INFORMANT247 has revealed how the Kwara state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has threatened to sack the Kwara State area court judges and Magistrates if they embarked on their proposed January 8th strike.
The Governor is said to have invited the Kwara state Chief Judge, Justice S.D. Kawu – owing to the relationship between the duo- around 12:00 noon of Monday 8th January 2018 to lure him into threatening the magistrates and Area court Judges not to embark on their proposed strike, sensing it will not portray his administration well.
Gathering information from reliable sources unveil that the Area court Judges/Magistrates were angered over the alleged maltreatment melted on them by the Kwara state government over the years and planned to go on industrial actions.
Investigations revealed that 12 out of the 23 Magistrates/Area Court judges appointed by the Kwara state government in 2017 share courtroom with previously appointed Magistrates while the others were left to thier fate without catchment.
Despite the fact that they are the least paid Magistrates/Area court Judges in the country, the last time they were paid their full entitlements ( wardrobe and Furniture allowances) was in 2014, a situation which pushed most of this Judges /Magistrates into taking loans and left with a monthly income of less than #10,000.
Many of them are reported to have sold out their vehicles, for some basic necessities, and now rely on bike to transit.
Speaking with an Area court Judge who pleaded anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, he narrated how he sold his car and some other properties to cover his children tuition fees. He said, “When the suffering got to a stage, i have to sell my car and some properties to pay my children school fees. The last time they paid our entitlement was in 2014. Now the government promised to give 40% to those of us in service before 2014, while those appointed in 2014 till date are to be paid 30%. This is soo barbaric.”
Another Magistrate reveals how he was left to survive on N10,000 monthly.
“Due to the Kwara State government not settling our entitlement, i have to go for loans. Now, i am taking less than N10,000 per month. So what are we talking about, this government is a shame and does not cares about the welfarism of her workers. He lamented
However, further investigation reveals that the Kwara State judges are also owed up to two month salaries.