Inside Nigeria
Better Life for Judicial Officers as Senate Approves 300% Salary Increase for CJN
Brighter days are here for judicial officers at both federal and state level as the Senate, on Wednesday, approved a bill granting 300 per cent salary increase for them.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC-Borno North), had presented a report to this effect to the chamber.
This was sequel to adoption of an executive bill transmitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which sought to prescribe improved salaries and allowances as well as other fringe benefits for judicial officers and workers.
The Executive bill was titled: “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters”.
If the bill gets the concurrence of the House of Representatives, and is eventually assented to by President Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, would be smiling home with an annual salary of N64m.
Similarly, the President of the Court of Appeal will be taking home N62.4m per annum while Justices of the Supreme Court will earn the sum of N61.4m each.
That is not all. The heads of the various courts, such as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court the President of the National Industrial Court, will also get salary bonanza too. They would earn the same basic salary of N7.9 million annually.
The increment, Senator Tahir Monguno further revealed, had been captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act; and all stakeholders at the public hearing for the bill unanimously endorsed it.
“The proposed legislation is apt and timely as the increase in remuneration of judicial office holders is long overdue in the light of the present economic realities and high inflation in the country,” he said.
He described the bill as “quite innovative”, because apart from an increment in the basic salary, it also takes into consideration certain peculiarities of the administrative structure and operational mechanism of the judiciary.
“Generally, the bill, if passed will birth an appropriate and commensurate remuneration that will ensure judicial independence and integrity,” Senator Tahir Monguno enthused.
“No doubt, adequate remuneration will allow judicial officers to focus on their professional development without worrying about financial constraint; hence it will improve their professionalism and decision-making skills.
“Fair compensation for judicial officers is crucial for maintaining public trust in the judiciary’s impartiality and integrity. When Judges are adequately compensated, it demonstrates a commitment by society towards the important role they play in upholding justice,” he added.