The Acting Chief Judge of Cross River State, Hon Justice Eyo Efiom Ita has ordered the 29 Protesting Magistrates in the state to vacate their sits in various courts in the state pending the resolution of the matter involving their two years salary.
Ita, in a letter signed by the Chief Registrar, Edem N. Okokon, said they have been withdrawn from sitting in any courts till further notice.
The magistrates have not been paid since their engagement in February 2019
The acting chief judge whose tenures expires next week also asked the 30 magistrates to stay at home, alleging that many of them have been involved in corrupt practices in order to survive.
The press statement claimed that the government regretted their employment, saying “there is no conscientious reason to have allowed you (magistrates) to work without pay for all the while..”
Last week, the magistrates had protested in front of the governor’s office for three days over non-payment of two years salaries.