Non-payment of salaries: Confusion as Magistrate slumps during protest in Calabar

Uba Group

One of the magistrates protesting the non-payment of their two years salaries, slumped on Tuesday, during the protest at the gate of the Governor’s Office in Calabar, Cross River State.

The Magistrate, identified as Richard Bassey, was later revived by colleagues and some Governor’s office staff.

It was learnt that while people were pouring water on the Magistrate to revive him, the Deputy Governor of the state, Ivara Esu, drove past, without offering to help.

Safiya Iyeh Ashipu of the Chief Magistrate Court, Odukpani and her two children had begun the protest against the non-payment of Magistrates’ two years salary on Monday.

She was said to have started the protest over her inability to pay her rent.

It was also learnt that the state Attorney-General paid N210,000 as part payment for the rent from his pocket.

The magistrates, who displayed various placards and flex banners with inscriptions calling for the payment of their salaries, have vowed to continue the protest until the state government answers their call.