Car theft: Magistrates request official vehicles, packing facilities in Abia

The Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, has appealed to the Abia State government to provide official vehicles and well-secured vehicle parking facilities inside court buildings in the State.

The appeal follows the stealing of the a private car belonging to a Chief Magistrate Ngozi Lakwa, which she had  parked beside the Umuahia High Court complex to attend to her official duty, last week.

In an appeal made by the Chairman of Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, Orji Nnaemeka, the association expressed worry that its member who was carrying out her official duties, lost her vehicle.

The group said that the theft clearly showed that Magistrates who replied on public spaces while performing their official duties, were becoming vulnerable to crime.

“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 feared that more of its members may fall victim if nothing was done about their request.

The organization argued that the theft of the car and other inconveniences could have been avoidable if adequate and monitored vehicle parking spaces had been put in place by the Abia State government.