The Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Abia State chapter, has called on the Abia State Government to provide official vehicles for magistrates as well as secure parking spaces within court premises across the state.
The appeal follows the theft of a private vehicle belonging to Chief Magistrate Ngozi Lakwa, which was reportedly stolen last week while it was parked beside the Umuahia High Court complex as she carried out her official duties.
In a statement by the Chairman of the association, Orji Nnaemeka, MAN expressed concern over the incident, describing it as a worrying development that exposes judicial officers to avoidable risks while performing their responsibilities.
The association noted that magistrates who rely on public parking spaces while discharging their duties are increasingly vulnerable to criminal activities.
“It is unfair and demoralizing for judicial workers to suffer personal loss while discharging their constitutional duties to the State and its citizens,” Nnaemeka said.
The group warned that more members could become victims if urgent action is not taken to address their concerns.
It further argued that the incident could have been prevented if properly secured and monitored parking facilities were available within court premises, urging the state government to intervene promptly.
BACKSTORY…
The appeal by the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Abia State chapter, follows growing concerns over the safety and welfare of judicial officers in the state.
The issue came to the fore after the theft of a private vehicle belonging to Chief Magistrate Ngozi Lakwa, which was reportedly stolen while parked outside the Umuahia High Court complex as she carried out official duties.
The incident has sparked concern within the judiciary community, with magistrates warning that reliance on unsecured public parking spaces exposes them to avoidable risks while discharging their responsibilities.
Against this backdrop, MAN is now calling on the Abia State Government to provide official vehicles for magistrates and establish secure, well-monitored parking facilities within court premises across the state.
The association says the move is necessary to protect judicial officers, improve working conditions, and prevent similar incidents in the future.
