Magistrates in different parts of the country have decried poor salary and welfare packages in their states, describing the situation as demoralising and detrimental to effective administration of justice.
They also lamented poor working conditions and lack of basic infrastructure in many magistrates’ courts, which they said hindered their efficiency.
Findings by Sunday PUNCH revealed that magistrates in some states earned as low as N120,000, depending on their grade level and qualifications.
Some magistrates, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described their work environments as unconducive, citing inadequate security, poor electricity supply, and a lack of essential office facilities.
They further termed their salary as “grossly inadequate” and unbefitting of their status as judicial officers.
Cross Rivers
In December 2024, magistrates in Cross River State embarked on a strike over alleged poor welfare and working conditions.
They accused the state government of failing to implement their promotions and address their overall welfare and working environment.
Kano
A retired Chief Magistrate from Kano State, Aminu Fagge, expressed concerns over the disparity between magistrates’ salaries and their responsibilities.
Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, Fagge, the immediate past chairman of the Kano State chapter of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, argued that magistrates’ pay should be at par with that of High Court judges due to their heavy workload.
“You will be surprised if I tell you that I retired in November 2024 after 35 years of service as chief magistrate, which is Grade Level 16, but my salary was just N273,000. After the implementation of the new minimum wage, I received N325,000 because only N50,000 was added to my old salary,” Fagge revealed.
He criticised the Kano State Government for not addressing the longstanding welfare issues despite repeated appeals.
“How do you expect a magistrate with a salary of N150,000 to live comfortably? You are poorly paid, yet you are expected not to engage in corrupt practices. This is why many magistrates in the state are complaining and saying they are ready to leave the job because they cannot afford basic necessities like a bag of rice, rent, or school fees for their children,” he lamented.
Kwara
Sunday PUNCH investigations further revealed that in Kwara State, a fresh magistrate earns between N120,000 and N125,000 per month, while a senior magistrate earns between N135,000 and N145,000 monthly.
A magistrate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that after the deduction of loans from his salary, he is left with N37,000 monthly.
“We are surviving on loans,” the magistrate stated, revealing that many of his colleagues have either relocated to other states or moved abroad in search of better opportunities.
“If you want to survive as a magistrate in Kwara State, you either combine it with farming or engage in other businesses. Complaining to the authorities often leads to threats of transfer or outright sacking,” he added.
Benue
In Benue State, Sunday PUNCH gathered that magistrates were placed under the civil service salary structure with no special allowances or benefits.
A magistrate from the state, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that poor working conditions led many to leave the bench and return to private practice.
Some magistrates, according to further investigation, have no cars as they take public transport to work to carry out their duties.
A Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria official confirmed that magistrates in Benue were treated like regular civil servants.
Plateau
Magistrates in Yobe, Plateau, Gombe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Osun, and Anambra states are facing similar challenges.
In Plateau State, Sunday PUNCH discovered that many magistrate courts were in dilapidated condition, hindering the ability of magistrates to perform their duties efficiently.
“The monthly take-home pay of magistrates cannot take them home at the end of the month. Some receive less than N300,000 a month, which is nothing compared to what their counterparts earn in other states,” a judicial staff member stated.
Osun
In Osun State, it was revealed that the last time magistrates received official vehicles was under the administration of former governor Rauf Aregbesola.
“Since then, no one has been given official vehicles, including the newly appointed magistrates,” a magistrate said.
Speaking further on their salary and other welfare packages, the magistrate noted that the condition of service for them in the state ranked among the worst in the country.
He added, “But the situation is gradually improving. In the last five years, we have lost about three magistrates, who resigned their appointments.”
Anambra
Checks by Sunday PUNCH revealed that magistrates earn N167,000 as basic salary in Anambra State, with additional allowances for fuel and vehicle maintenance bringing the total to approximately N210,000.
“Our basic salary is N167,000. Fuel allowances for the generator in my house is N20,000, while the fuel allowance for the court is N60,000. The vehicle for court movement is N20,000,” the magistrate explained.
He also mentioned a two per cent wardrobe allowance for court appearances, which amounts to N3,340.
Despite the challenges, the magistrate pointed to improvements in welfare, including the provision of official cars to some magistrates by the state government.
“In the past, our welfare was very poor, and this led to many magistrates engaging in other businesses to survive. But now, the state government has embarked on a massive upgrade in our welfare,” he said.
Imo
Magistrates in Imo also decried poor pay by the government.
A magistrate who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Chief magistrates grade 1 earn N341,022.39; chief magistrates grade 11, N285,022.39; senior magistrates grade 1, N275, 635.43; senior magistrates grade 11 earn 255, 635.43.
“The working condition of magistrates is very poor. No official vehicles for magistrates in Imo State, unlike other states that their governors change their vehicles every four years but for Imo State, there’s none.
“No good allowances. No payment of promotion allowance since 2015 till date.
“The salary we are collecting as senior magistrates is still the same salary we are collecting as a chief magistrates.
“No computer for our work. Magistrates type official documents outside the court with their personal money. No security officials attached to magistrates both outside and inside the court halls. Magistrates court halls in Imo State, especially those outside Owerri are all in total bad conditions”.
Kaduna
It is the same tale in Kaduna State, as many magistrates are reportedly forced to survive on meager salaries, with some earning as low as N100,000 monthly in the state.
According to an insider, senior magistrates fare slightly better, with salaries ranging from N130,000 to N140,000 per month.
However, even the highest-paid magistrates do not earn more than N300,000 monthly.
“It’s a struggle to make ends meet,” said a magistrate who asked not to be identified.
“We are expected to maintain a certain level of integrity and professionalism, but it’s difficult when you are struggling to pay your bills,” the source added.
Yobe
According to magistrates and senior lawyers in Damaturu, the state capital, the current welfare package is grossly inadequate.
A magistrate, who asked not to be identified, lamented that their welfare package is one of the worst in the region.
She said, “We receive almost the lowest salary, second only to Taraba State in the northeast. Our salary is slightly higher than Taraba’s, but it’s still nowhere near what our colleagues in other states earn.”
The magistrate further revealed that they received a quarterly upkeep allowance of N45,000, which is also inadequate compared to what their counterparts in other states receive.
“We’re given this allowance to purchase stationery, but it’s not always paid regularly.”
She noted that efforts despite the new minimum wage review, magistrates’ salaries had only increased by N40,000 across the board in the state.
“A chief magistrate’s take-home pay with the reviewed minimum wage is N300,000, while other members earn N150,000, depending on their grade level and qualifications,” the source said.
Bauchi
Magistrates in Bauchi State lamented poor welfare in the face of present economic crisis.
According to a source, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, earnings for magistrates are between N170,000 to N260,000 depending on their level.
“The working conditions are not favourable. No vehicle, no accommodation, you name it. But to be fair, this administration has trained magistrates.”
Bayelsa
However, magistrates in Bayelsa and Kaduna states are reported to be well paid.
A source said on Thursday that the salary scale for Bayelsa was well structured and the least magistrate received well over N300,000 monthly.
On the working condition of magistrates in the state judiciary, he did not elaborate, but noted that it was comparable to the working condition of magistrates in other states.
“They are well paid. They receive over N300,000 monthly. The working conditions are alright, I think,” the source stated.
Stakeholders worried
Meanwhile, the poor remuneration of magistrates has raised concerns among stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association and the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, who warned that low pay could expose magistrates to corruption.
Both organisations highlighted that inadequate financial security might tempt some magistrates to accept bribes or other inducements to influence their judgments, which would undermine the integrity of the judiciary.
The National President of the NBA, Afam Osigwe, criticised state governments for failing to improve magistrates’ wages, warning that underpayment would increase the likelihood of unethical conduct.
He said, “Magistrates in many states are not well paid, and several state governments resist efforts to improve their pay. This underpayment makes them vulnerable to bribery, which compromises the justice system.”
Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, stressed that while states had the autonomy to set their salary scales, magistrates deserved better remuneration to ensure they could perform their duties with dignity.
The Executive Director of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, condemned the treatment of magistrates, noting that they are often regarded as inferior in the judiciary.
“Magistrates are not given the same respect as higher court judges, and their salaries and benefits reflect this. They are often the first point of contact for the public in the judicial system, yet they are treated as though their role is less important,” Adeniran said.
He urged the government to improve the economic and administrative empowerment of magistrates to ease the burden on appellate courts, advocating better-equipped magistrate courts to handle community-level disputes.
Adeniran further called on the NJC to intervene in magistrates’ welfare, though magistrates fall under the jurisdiction of state judicial service commissions.
“If magistrate courts are empowered, the government will spend less on higher courts, as many cases will be resolved at the magistracy level,” he stated.
We’ve not been fairly treated – President
The National President of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Saidu Umar, lamented that magistrates were not well treated by their various state governments.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Umar said magistrates were pushing for the passage of a bill seeking to recognise them as judicial officers.
He added that passage of the bill would significantly address their challenges.
He said, “We are not fairly treated. We’re not civil servants or judicial officers. When it comes to remuneration, we’ll be excluded, they will say we’re not judicial officers. But when it comes to other things, they will see us as judicial officers. That is why we are pushing for a bill to recognise us as judicial officers.
“We want to have a definite status; that’s why we proposed the bill to the National Assembly. If we’re not going to have the same salary as judges, it should be something meaningful for us. Magistrates find it difficult to survive after retirement. The magistrate career should be made appreciable.”
- Reports by Olufemi Adediran, Samuel Ese, Chigozie Uzosike, Ikenna Obianeri, Bola Bamigbola, Tunde Oyekola, Chima Azubuike, Godwin Isenyo, James Abraham, Ahmed Amshi, Umar Sani, John Charles, Hussaini Ibrahim, Tukur Muntari