The Governor of Cross River State in south-south Nigeria, Professor Ben Ayade has approved the reinstatement of 29 sacked Magistrates.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Christian Ita said the 29 Magistrates would be issued appointment letters and payrolls.
Ita stated that the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tanko Ashang said the Governor directed that the magistrates reemployment must follow due process.
“The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice argued that the magistrates appointment did not follow due process and were not on payroll. As a result of this, the Governor had in January 26 this year constituted a committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu to look into the issue.
“Ashang, also a member of that committee said after several rigorous sittings, the committee recommended a list of 29 magistrates for employment and the Governor put his stamp of approval to the list bearing the names of the 29 magistrates,’‘ she said.
In January this year, the 29 Magistrates staged a protest to the Governor’s office Calabar over the non-payment of 24 months remuneration.
The magistrates were employed prior to the end of the last administration by the former State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Joe Abang without the knowledge and approval of the Governor.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
