Gov Ben Ayade has succumbed to mounting pressure on him to resitate 29 magistrates who were not payrolled for two years even after they were engaged formally by the Cross River state government.
The Atorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Tanko Ashang, while disclosing this in Calabar, Monday, said the 29 Magistrates would subsequently be issued with appointment letters and then be payrolled as staff of the State Judiciary.
Ashang maintained that the 29 Magistrates who hitherto were employed but were not payrolled because their employment did not follow necessary processes and therefore was irregular.
He went on to disclosed that as a result of this, the governor had in January 26 this year constituted a committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu to look into the issue.
Apart from the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, other members of he committee were the Head of service, The Chief Registrar of Cross River Judiciary and the Auditor General.
“After rigorous sittings recommended a list of 29 magistrates for employment to the Governor adding that the Governor has put his stamp of approval to the list bearing the 29 magistrates.
“With this approval, appointment letters will be issued to the new magistrates and they will accordingly be payrolled,” Barrister Ashang stated
