The Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Kebbi chapter, has expressed dissatisfaction with the low wages and other remuneration compared with those of other judges in the service.
The association’s spokesman, chief magistrate Dayyabu Usman, expressed the reservation in Birnin Kebbi.
Mr Usman noted that the disparity in wages and other welfare packages between magistrates and higher court judges was alarming in the state.
He said the margin of the welfare package between magistrates and other judges was a wide disparity in the recognition of the condition of service applicable in the state.
According to him, the salaries of higher court Judges are unified nationwide and centrally funded, with no judge earning less than N4 million monthly, in addition to medical and other allowances.
“As for magistrates, some earn about N200,000 as a monthly salary, while in Kebbi, magistrates receive even less than N200,000,” Mr Usman disclosed.
He added that magistrates in the state had no official accommodation or specific allowances, noting that most of them lived in rented apartments.
“Imagine a sergeant in the Nigeria Police Force on Grade Level 6 earning more than a Grade Level 16 magistrate. This situation is demoralising,” he said.
Abdulrahman Sadiq, a senior legal practitioner based in Birnin Kebbi, said the welfare gap between magistrates and high court judges had persisted for years.
“While high court judges enjoy official vehicles, residences and improved allowances, many magistrates still struggle with basic welfare needs, in spite of handling a heavy workload,” Mr Sadiq said.
A chief magistrate, Amina Bello, attached to the magistrate’s court in Kalgo LGA, said inadequate welfare packages had negatively affected morale among magistrates across the state.
“We handle a large number of cases daily, yet some magistrates still rely on public transport to get to court and make personal arrangements for accommodation,” Ms Bello said.
Yusuf Lawal, a senior judicial officer at the magistrate’s court in Jega, said poor welfare support could affect efficiency and commitment in the lower courts.
“Improving the welfare of magistrates will enhance productivity and strengthen justice delivery at the grassroots,” he said.
A civil society advocate, Zainab Musa, coordinator of Women for Justice Initiative, Birnin Kebbi, urged the state government to prioritise the welfare of magistrates.
She said improved working conditions would strengthen public confidence in the justice system and promote fairness.
In Zamfara, the situation remained the same, as magistrates receive normal public service payments depending on their grade level and an annual furniture allowance.
A legal practitioner, Umar Usman, in Gusau, said the disparity between high court judges and magistrates was wide and incomparable in terms of welfare packages and take-home pay.
“So, for the purpose of public interest, there is a need to improve the welfare package of magistrate judges to promote justice and well-being of the society,” Mr Usman said.
In Sokoto, a senior worker in the state judiciary who pleaded anonymity said the state government had fully taken care of judges’ welfare, training and other needs to ensure proper dispensation of justice.
The source explained that magistrates and other Shari’a court judges were in the civil service, receiving remuneration based on grade level.
An analyst, Abubakar Doki, stressed the need to design a tailored entitlement arrangement for magistrates, given that they handle the bulk of routine legal issues, especially in rural areas.
Mr Doko restated that, with special remuneration for the Magistrate Administration of the Criminal Justice Law, family courts, and other dispute adjudication, these bodies would surely be strengthened.
He described the situation as pathetic, in which a senior magistrate would be using public transport and public rental apartments.
(NAN)
