The Senate has advanced a bill aiming to bolster the salaries and allowances of judicial officers, marking a significant step in addressing long-standing concerns over judicial remuneration....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
Sponsored by Senator Ashiru Yisa (APC-Kwara South), the bill, titled “A bill for an act to prescribe the salaries, allowances and fringe benefits of judicial office holders in Nigeria and for related matters (2024),” garnered widespread support during its second reading at the Senate.
The proposed legislation, which mirrors an earlier passage by the House of Representatives, outlines a monthly package of N5.39 million for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Furthermore, it stipulates a total package of N4.21 million for Justices of the Supreme Court, while the president of the Court of Appeal is slated to receive a total monthly package of N4.48 million.
In a bid to ensure equitable compensation across judicial ranks, the bill also allocates varying monthly packages to other judicial office holders, including Justices of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and Presidents of various state courts.
Importantly, the bill incorporates additional allowances such as leave allowances, duty tour allowances, and severance gratuity, underscoring a comprehensive effort to address the holistic welfare of judicial officers.
President Bola Tinubu’s advocacy for this bill, as articulated in a letter read during plenary, underscores the imperative of enhancing judicial remuneration to fortify the independence and efficacy of Nigeria’s judiciary system.
Senator Yisa, in presenting the bill, emphasized the pressing need for judicial salaries to reflect contemporary socio-economic realities, echoing sentiments echoed by his colleagues, including Senator Barau Jibrin and Senator Mohammed Monguno, who lauded the bill’s potential to curb corruption and promote fair judgments.
