Magistrates appeal Ondo Governor as they seek official vehicles to improve safety, dignity and efficiency across the state’s judiciary

Magistrates appeal Ondo Governor as the state’s judicial officers raise an urgent alarm over unsafe working conditions that they believe threaten both their dignity and the integrity of the justice system.

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The Ondo State chapter of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria has made a compelling and powerful plea to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, urging him to provide official vehicles for magistrates who currently rely on public transport to perform their daily duties.

The association described the situation as troubling, saying magistrates often board buses alongside criminals and litigants, creating a dangerous and undignified atmosphere.

Spokesperson Damilola Sekoni explained that nearly 60 magistrates across the state have no official vehicles, forcing them into crowded public transport where their safety and authority are compromised.

He said the daily scramble for commercial vehicles exposes them to individuals facing trial before them and makes them vulnerable to potential attacks.

Sekoni added that such conditions weaken public perception of the judiciary and hinder the efficient administration of justice. He stressed that the gravity of the situation demands swift government intervention.

Akure Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Onimisi Umar, also appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa to act promptly, stating that providing official vehicles would boost morale, enhance safety and allow magistrates to discharge their duties with the respect their office commands.

Former senator Bode Olajumoke, who received the visiting delegation alongside Vanguard Publisher Sam Amuka, assured the magistrates that he would engage the governor on their concerns.

He urged them to avoid conduct that could tarnish the profession while commending their commitment despite the challenges.

Amuka encouraged the association to continue upholding the rule of law and strengthen integrity within the justice system, noting that public trust depends on the conduct and welfare of judicial officers.

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The association hopes the governor will respond swiftly, as the current situation remains both risky and unsustainable.