‘We board taxis with litigants’ — Ondo magistrates decry lack of official cars

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Magistrates in Ondo State have again raised alarm over being forced to board commercial vehicles with criminals and litigants due to lack of official cars.

They described the situation as unsafe and demeaning to the judiciary.

During a visit to Senator Bode Olajumoke in Akure, the delegation led by Magistrate Funmi Edwin said more than 60 magistrates operate without government-provided vehicles.

Chief Magistrate Damilola Sekoni, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, declared that the ugly development undermines the dignity of their office, compromises their safety, and affects their efficiency.

Sekoni declared that “We, on a daily basis, hop on commercial vehicles, most times with criminals and litigants standing trails before us, with the attendant security risk to our individual lives.”

The association pleaded with Senator Olajumoke to relay their concerns to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, stressing that official vehicles are a necessity, not a luxury.

The NBA Akure Chairman, Mr Onimisi Friday Umar, who accompanied the group, lamented the poor welfare of magistrates.

Senator Olajumoke promised to take up the issue with the governor, while Vanguard Publisher Sam Amuka Pemu urged the magistrates to uphold the rule of law and maintain the integrity of the justice system.