The Cross River Judicial Service Commission has suspended four magistrates and some judicial service staff over misconduct, corruption and judicial malpractices.

The commission’s secretary, Peter Ene, announced the suspension in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Ene listed the suspended magistrates as Ushie Ushang, Port Court, Calabar, Gabriel Ebebe, Chief Magistrate Court, Edor, and Ikom. Others are Gabriel Agana of the Chief Magistrates Court, Effraya, Ikom, and Shadrach Orji of the Chief Magistrates of Court 1, Ogoja.

He said the magistrates were found guilty of corruption, falsification of records, judicial incompetence, drunkenness, and dereliction of duty.

The secretary said that while the four magistrates were suspended without pay, two others were sternly warned.

Mr Ene further stated that three judicial staff were suspended without pay while a Chief Bailiff was given a warning letter.

He directed all affected outstation magistrates to hand pending cases to their respective court registrars for necessary actions.

Mr Ene further directed the magistrate in Calabar to hand over all pending files to the administrative chief magistrate.

The secretary said the commission’s decision was consistent with the provisions of Section 3, Rule 03305 of the Cross River Public Service Rules, 2004.

He reiterated the commission’s commitment to maintaining the highest level of integrity and standards in judicial service delivery.

“The commission will not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions against any erring staff, particularly those saddled with judicial responsibilities. This will help to safeguard the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and sustain public confidence,” said Mr Ene.
[11/21, 12:46 PM] Emma Agaji: PDP Senate Caucus insists Ighodalo won Edo governorship election

The Caucus said the PDP would work hard to recover its alleged stolen mandate in Edo State.

The Senate Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the candidate of the party in the last governorship election in Edo State, Asuerinme Ighodalo, won the election.

Leader of the caucus, Abba Moro, stated this while addressing journalists after the Caucus meeting at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The election was held on 21 September.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the election having scored the highest votes.

INEC subsequently issued a certificate of return to Mr Okpebholo, a senator, and he has since been sworn in as governor of the state.

But Mr Moro, who is the Senate Minority Leader, insisted that the PDP’s mandate was stolen in the state and vowed that the party would work hard to retrieve its mandate.

“Well, everybody is worried for the Nigerian democracy and INEC has taken notes here and there over the conduct of the election. But every failure is a lesson for future adventures.

“We sincerely hope that we work hard like in Edo state where the mandate of the PDP was stolen. We will work hard to make sure that the people’s mandate is restored where it doesn’t happen, like I said, failure is a mechanism for future success,” he said.

Ganduje’s comment
The caucus also responded to a comment by the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, that the ruling party would soon take over all the South-west states.

The APC is currently ruling four of the six South-west states – Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti.

The PDP is in power in Oyo and Osun States.

Mr Moro, who represents Benue South Senatorial District, said the leadership of the PDP would ensure it retains the states in subsequent elections.

“The PDP has taken note of that statement, and we have a government in Osun state now, and we want to retain that position,” he said.

PDP Crisis
The senate minority leader said the leadership of the PDP is striving hard to return the party to its winning days.

“Damagun is the acting chairman of PDP. The PDP is not just about Damagun. The PDP is about members of the PDP. We are working round the clock to make sure that PDP gets back to its winning ways. When we were winning as PDP, other political parties were losing.

“So, what is this brouhaha about PDP losing the election? It is painful to lose the election, no doubt about it. But as I said, it is a common axiom that if you fail today and you are able to stand up, you strategise to win tomorrow.

“And so, whatever we have lost today as PDP, we are working hard, and part of the working hard is the meeting that the caucus has held today to strategise towards ensuring that we do not lose future elections, including the election in Osun state,” Mr Moro said.