3 Judicial Staff, 4 Magistrates, Sanctioned In Cross River Over Alleged Misconduct

The Cross River State Judiciary Service Commission (CRSJSC) has sanctioned four magistrates, three judicial staff, and other judiciary workers for alleged misconduct in the performance of their duties.

This is contained in a release signed by Peter Ene, the secretary of the CRSJSC, and dated November 5, 2024.

It disclosed that the commission accordingly suspended four magistrates without pay.

They are:
“His Worship, Ushie Cecilia Ushang, Magistrate Grade 1, Port Court, Calabar—Suspension takes effect from 5th November 2024 to 5th March 2025.

“His Worship, Gabriel Awah Ebebe, Magistrate Grade 1, Chief Magistrate Court, Edor, Ikom L.G.A.—Suspension takes effect from 5th November 2024 to 5th February 2025.

“His Worship, Gabriel Eliom Agana, Chief Magistrate Grade II, Chief Magistrates Court, Effraya, Ikom L.G.A.—Suspension takes effect from 5th November 2024 to 5th March 2025.

“His Worship, Shadrach Oru Orji, Deputy Chief Registrar, Chief Magistrates Court 1, Ogoja—Suspension takes effect from 5th November 2024 to 5th March 2025,” it said.

The statement directed that all affected magistrates in the outstations are to hand over all pending cases to their respective court registrars for necessary action, while the magistrate in Calabar is directed to hand over all pending files to the Administrative Chief Magistrate.

Similarly, the CRSJSC suspended several staff members over established allegations of corruption, falsification of court records, and the conversion of auctioned sales proceeds.

“They are: Ms. Iyaji Josephine Augustine, Principal Litigation Officer II, Chief Magistrates Court, Ogoja. Suspension takes effect from 5 November 2024 to 5 March 2025. Suspension is without pay.

“Mr. Emmanuel Okon Etim, Chief Bailiff, Chief Magistrates Court, Moore Road, Calabar—Suspension takes effect from 5th November 2024 to 5th February 2025. Suspension is without pay.

“Also, the Commission hereby directs Mr. Emmanuel Okon Etim (Chief Bailiff) to refund forthwith the sum of N171,000.00 (one hundred and seventy-one thousand Naira) only, being the assessed monetary value of the missing items, to the claimant/judgment debtor in Suit No. MC/RT/1197/2021.

“The Commission also issues Warning Letters to His Worship, Okon Edet Ekpenyong, Senior Magistrate, Grade 1, Ikom L.G.A., His Worship, Ojar Michael Egbal, Chief Magistrate Grade II, Chief Magistrate Court 1, Ikom L.G.A., and Mr. Emmanuel Okon Etim, Chief Bailiff, Chief Magistrates Court, Moore Road, Calabar, whose petitions were dismissed for want of evidence to establish the allegations made against them.”

The commission said the sanctions are consistent with the extant provisions of Section 3, Rule No. 03305 of the Cross River State Public Service Rules, 2004.