The Senate greenlit a bill today that will notably boost the salaries of federal and state-level judicial officers by 300 percent.
Following thorough consideration, the Red Chamber endorsed the report submitted by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, led by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC- Borno North).
This move stems from the evaluation and adoption of an executive bill forwarded by President Bola Tinubu. The bill aims to enhance salaries, allowances, and other benefits for judicial officers and staff.
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 executive bill awaits similar approval from the House of Representatives and the President’s signature.
If passed, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will receive an annual salary of N64 million. Similarly, the President of the Court of Appeal and Justices of the Supreme Court will earn N62.4 million and N61.4 million respectively.
Other heads of various courts, including the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, and the President of the National Industrial Court, will earn an annual basic salary of N7.9 million each.
Senator Monguno emphasized that stakeholders at the bill’s public hearing unanimously supported its passage, citing the long-overdue need for increased remuneration amidst economic realities and high inflation.
He hailed the bill as innovative, not only for its salary increment but also for addressing the administrative and operational intricacies of the judiciary.
Monguno highlighted the importance of fair compensation in upholding judicial independence and integrity, stating that adequate remuneration would enable judicial officers to focus on professional development and decision-making without financial concerns.
He stressed that the proposed increment has been accounted for in the 2024 Appropriation Act, underlining the significance of this move for bolstering public trust in the judiciary’s impartiality and effectiveness.
