A Bill seeking to increase the salaries and allowances of judicial officers on Thursday, scaled second reading at the Senate.
The resolution at the Red Chamber followed its consideration and debate on a 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).”
The bill was sponsored by the Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Sen. Ashiru Yisa (APC-Kwara South).
The House of Representatives on March 20, passed the bill which provides a monthly package of N5.39 million for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The executive bill also provides a total package of N4.21 million for Justices of the Supreme Court, while the President of the Court of Appeal is to earn a total monthly package of N4.48 million.
In addition, Justices of the Court of Appeal are to earn a total monthly package of N3.73 million, while the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Grand Khadi, FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, President of Customary Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of State High Court and Grand Khadi of State Sharia Court of Appeal and President of State Customary Court of Appeal are to earn a monthly package of N3.53 million.
Other allowances not embedded in the total monthly package include leave allowances, estacode per night of $2,000 when applicable, duty tour allowances when applicable, severance gratuity of N80.78 million after successful completion of tenure, as well as an option of motor vehicle loan to be repaid before the expiration of tenure.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on March 20 proposed a salary increase for judicial officers in the country.
The President in the letter argued that the bill would promote the independence and capacity of the Nigerian judiciary system.
Sen. Yisa in his lead debate, argued that the proposed legal framework would bring about significant improvement in the welfare, capacity, and independence of the judiciary, which have remained contentious issues of public discourse over the years.
In his contribution, the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin, “This is very important, not only for the judiciary but for the entire nation.
“Mr. President, by the nature of the judicial officers, they don’t agitate. They cry in silence, and they don’t speak out.
“Other workers agitate, and they stage protests. But the judiciary don’t talk; they cry in silence.
“And when you want to take the judiciary seriously, you have to take the remuneration of the judiciary staff seriously. That is very important, and that is what he has done. They have stagnated for several years.
Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC–Borno North) Monguno, said improving the welfare of judges will insulate them from corruption and ensure they deliver just and fair judgments.
On his part, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia North), stated that, “no right-thinking Nigerian will not think that it is right to keep the judiciary comfortable.”
Senators later approved that the bill be read for a second time when it was put to voice vote by Akpabio, whi thereafter referred the Bill to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for further legislative input for their report in four weeks.
