The Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Abia State Branch, has called on the Abia State Government to urgently provide official vehicles and secure parking facilities for magistrates following the theft of a private vehicle belonging to a judicial officer while on official duty.
The appeal comes in the wake of the reported theft of the private vehicle of Chief Magistrate Mrs. Ngozi Pearl Lekwa, which was allegedly stolen while she was carrying out her official responsibilities in Umuahia.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Orji Nnaemeka, the body described the incident as unfortunate, disturbing, and a serious concern for judicial officers across the state.
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According to the Association, the theft highlights the vulnerability of magistrates who rely on personal vehicles and unsecured parking spaces while performing their constitutional duties.
“The attention of the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, Abia State Branch, has been drawn to the unfortunate theft of the private vehicle belonging to His Worship Ngozi Lekwa while on duty. This incident is deeply distressing,” the statement read.
The Association noted that the incident could have happened to any magistrate and warned that the absence of official vehicles and secure parking arrangements exposes judicial officers to avoidable risks and financial losses.
“Today it is His Worship Ngozi Lekwa; tomorrow it could be any other magistrate, God forbid. It is unfair and demoralising for judicial officers to suffer personal loss while discharging constitutional duties to the state and its citizens,” the statement added.
MAN further expressed the belief that the theft could have been prevented if adequate welfare and security measures had been put in place by the government, including the provision of official vehicles and properly monitored parking facilities within court premises.
The Association stressed that the demand should not be viewed as a privilege but as a necessary requirement for the safety, dignity, and effective discharge of judicial responsibilities.
As part of its advocacy for what it described as “A New Normal” in the administration of justice, the Association urged the state government to treat the matter as a priority and take immediate steps to address the concerns raised.
The magistrates expressed confidence that the government would respond positively to the appeal in order to protect judicial officers from similar incidents and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.
The stolen vehicle, a black Toyota Corolla belonging to Chief Magistrate Ngozi Lekwa, was reportedly taken from where it was parked outside the court premises in Umuahia while she was attending to official duties. The matter has since been reported to the police, and investigations are ongoing.
