The Senate has passed a bill proposing increased salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits of judicial officers in the country.
This was sequel to the submission of the reports of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters presented by the Chairman of the committee, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North). and its subsequent adoption followed the adoption of the report.
The House of Representatives has earlier passed the bill which pegged the Chief Justice of Nigeria an annual salary at N64 million.
The President of the Court of Appeal, according to the bill, will earn N62.4 million, while Justices of the Supreme Court will bag N61.4 million each. y
The bill provides that 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 take home N7.9 million annually as basic salary.
The Borno lawmaker said 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.
Mongunoe said the increase had already been captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act.
