They handle most of Nigeria’s daily court cases, yet many magistrates in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu take home less than N250,000 a month — and work in crumbling courtrooms.
Lawyers and judiciary stakeholders across the Southeast are sounding the alarm over what they describe as poor pay and harsh working conditions for magistrates.
In Anambra, former NBA Awka Chairman, Ken Nwanna, said only four magistrates are currently sitting in Awka — forcing them to rotate court sessions due to a shortage of court halls. He added that unreliable electricity, lack of law books, poor furniture and absence of official vehicles are making justice delivery tougher.
Young Lawyers Forum Chairman, Kingsley Agbaenyi, described many magistrates’ courts as outdated and uncomfortable, with lawyers sometimes providing their own files and paying for photocopies due to lack of basic equipment.
Civil rights advocate Stanley Okafor noted that magistrates in Anambra earn between ₦160,000 and ₦250,000 monthly despite handling the bulk of cases in the justice system. He warned that continued neglect could weaken judicial integrity and called for urgent intervention from the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
In Ebonyi, NBA Chairman Samuel Ede acknowledged that Governor Francis Nwifuru recently gave magistrates SUV vehicles — but stressed that cars are not a substitute for better salaries. “A monthly take-home of less than ₦200,000 in this economy is not enough,” he said.
Legal practitioners in Enugu echoed similar concerns, urging Governor Peter Mbah to prioritise magistrates’ welfare. Some magistrates, speaking anonymously, lamented lack of functional vehicles, poor security and inadequate logistical support.
Across the three states, stakeholders agree on one thing: magistrates are the frontline of justice — closest to the people — and their welfare must reflect the weight of their responsibilities.
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