The Senate, on Wednesday, passed a bill seeking an upward review of salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits of judicial officers in the country.
This followed the adoption of the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters presented by the Chairman of the committee, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North).
If the bill, earlier passed by the House of Representatives, is assented to by the President, the Chief Justice of Nigeria will get 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.
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.
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.
Mongunoe added that the increment under consideration had been captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and the Nigerian Bar Association had recently voiced their support for the call to increase the salaries of judges in the country, which they said was last reviewed 17 years ago.
The AGF, the CJN and others gave support on May 20 during the Senate’s public hearing of “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries and Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Officeholders in Nigeria and Related Matters Bill, 2024,” organised by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.