The Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, has appealed to the state government to provide official vehicles and properly secured parking facilities within court premises to protect judicial officers while carrying out their duties.

The call followed the theft of a private car belonging to Chief Magistrate Ngozi Lakwa, which was stolen while parked beside the Umuahia High Court complex where she had gone to perform her official responsibilities.

In a statement by the Chairman of the association, Orji Nnaemeka, the group expressed concern that a magistrate on official duty could lose her personal vehicle due to the absence of adequate security arrangements around court facilities.

The association said the incident highlighted the vulnerability of judicial workers who rely on public parking spaces while serving the state and its citizens.

“It is unfair and demoralising for judicial workers to suffer personal losses while discharging their constitutional duties to the State and its citizens,” Nnaemeka said.

The group warned that other members could face similar challenges if urgent steps were not taken to address the situation.

It argued that the theft and other related inconveniences could have been prevented if court buildings had adequate, monitored parking facilities provided by the Abia State Government.