AKURE, ONDO STATE — Magistrates in Ondo State have issued a distress call to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, appealing for the urgent provision of official vehicles, stating that the lack of mobility support is exposing judicial officers to grave security risks and undermining the dignity of the judiciary.
The Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ondo State Chapter, revealed that the absence of dedicated transportation is forcing no fewer than 60 Magistrates across the state to rely on public transport, often scrambling for commercial vehicles alongside the very litigants and criminal suspects they are scheduled to try.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Chief Magistrate Damilola Sekoni detailed the alarming situation during a courtesy visit on Friday.
“We, on a daily basis, hop on commercial vehicles, most times with criminals and litigants standing trial before us, with the attendant security risk to our individual lives,” Sekoni stated. He further noted that the situation is “undignified” and raises significant professional concerns, as magistrates are often forced to share space with members of the public, including those appearing before them in court.
The association lamented that some magistrates have even sustained injuries from commercial motorcycle accidents while attempting to reach their official duties. They stressed that the request for official vehicles is “a necessity, not a luxury,” essential for boosting morale, ensuring safety, and improving the efficiency of justice delivery across the state.
The Akure Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onimisi Umar, supported the plea, appealing to the governor to prioritize the welfare of the judicial officers. Umar emphasized that providing vehicles would improve efficiency, safety, and ensure that the magistrates are treated with the respect befitting their office.
According to the associations, Magistrates in the state have not been adequately supported with official vehicles since the administration of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, and despite an alleged approval for the purchase of 10 official vehicles by the current administration, nothing has been heard since.
The Magistrates and the NBA appealed to stakeholders, including former Senator Bode Olajumoke, to intercede and discuss their plight directly with Governor Aiyedatiwa to salvage the situation and enhance effective justice delivery.
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