The Senate, on Wednesday, approved a bill that grants a 300 per cent salary increase for judicial officers at the federal and state levels.
The Red Chamber approved the report presented by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC- Borno North), to the lawmakers.
This follows the consideration and adoption of an executive bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, which sought to prescribe improved salaries and allowances as well as other fringe benefits for judicial officers and workers.
The Executive bill forwarded by the President is titled “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters”.
The bill, if similarly passed by the House of Representatives, and assented to by the President will give the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, an annual salary of N64m.
The President of the Court of Appeal will be entitled to N62.4m, while Justices of the Supreme Court will earn the sum of N61.4m each.
All 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, among others, would earn the same basic salary of N7.9 million annually.
Speaking further, the Borno lawmaker told his colleagues that stakeholders at the public hearing of the bill unanimously supported its passage.
“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.
According to him, the bill is “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.
“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.
He added that the increment under consideration has been captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act.
Credit: Punch