Magistrate Richard Bassey, a judicial officer of the Cross River State government, on Tuesday, reportedly collapsed at the gate of the governor’s office in Calabar during a protest over 24 months unpaid salary.
Bassey was one of the 30 magistrates dressed in their full regalia who embarked on a peaceful protest, which started on Monday. The incident happened on the second day of the protest.
They appealed to Governor Ben Ayade to pay the salaries owed them.
Bassey regained consciousness when his colleagues poured water on him and took him to a nearby hospital.
The Chief Magistrate of Cross River, Solomon Abuo, decried what he described as ill-treatment meted to them by the government.
Abuo said since they were employed, they have undergone several screenings, adding that the protest is their last resort.
He said: “We will continue to protest until we are paid.
“This is very embarrassing; in 2020 one of the Magistrates was arraigned before a fellow Magistrate over his inability to pay rent; most of us can’t pay our house rents and are squatting with colleagues.
“Is it wrong for one to serve the State as a judicial officer? Are we supposed to go through this kind of humiliation?’’ he asked.
No official of the government addressed the protesters since the protest began on Monday.
But the Acting Chief Judge of the State, Justice Eyo Effiom-Ita, reportedly said that he was aware that the magistrates have not been paid for a long time, adding that presentations have been made to the governor.
“The governor said he did not give clearance for their appointment, so he will not pay them; until the governor changes his disposition, there is nothing anyone can do,’’ Effiom-Ita said.