The magistrates protesting against the non payment of their 24-month salaries have countered the Cross River State Government over claim that they were employed fraudulently.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tanko Ashang, was quoted in a statement on Sunday as saying the recruitment of the was fraudulent.

In reaction, one of the magistrates, Solomon Abuo, said he was in the meeting with the Attorney General among others, and at no time did he or any of his colleagues admit to their employment being fraudulent.

“Our employment was not illegal or fraudulent. The Judicial Service Commission advertised for the vacancy for the magistracy. We were screened, interviewed and those of us who were successful were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Cross River State who is also the Chairman of the State Judicial Service Commission.

“After our swearing in, we were sent for training by the Cross River State judiciary. It lasted for about three months and that included a one week induction course in Abuja.

“When we were not paid, we wrote series of letters to the government: we wrote to the office of the Secretary to the State Government. We wrote to the Judicial Service Commission and to the House of Assembly; they are all aware of it. For about three times, the state government has set up different screening exercises and we participated. If there was anything, there would have made it public since. Why now?”

He also said the distressed magistrates were living from hand to mouth and virtually begging to feed themselves and their family.