A magistrate and single mother of two Safiya Ashipu of the Chief Magistrate Court in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State on Monday protested against the non-payment of her salary for two years at the governor’s office.
Ashipu was joined by her children holding placards which requested action from the governor.
Her placard reads: “Your Excellency, I am a single mother of two. I have not been paid for two years, please pay me.”
Her oldest son’s placard reads: “Your Excellency My Governor, You have the power to help us and change our lives, for the better. Please pay our mother”.
That of the youngest reads: “Your Excellency My Governor, Please help me to complete my ENT treatment. Please pay my mother her two years salary.”
Ashipu’s gesture triggered over 40 magistrates who have also not been paid to gather at the governor’s office.
One of them, Solomon Abua, a chief magistrate, disclosed that 45 magistrates gathered for the protest. He said they were appointed two years ago. Out of the 45, 29 of them came from private practice while others came from the State Ministry of Justice.
He added that they have written numerous memos seeking remedy to their situation but nothing has changed for two years.
It was learnt that no government official had addressed the protesters at noon.
