The House of Representatives has passed a bill for an Act for upward review of the salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits of judicial office holders in the country.
With the passage of this new bill, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is set to go home with a total monthly package of N5.39 million.
In the executive bill submitted to the House on Tuesday by President Bola Tinubu, other justices of the Supreme Court are to earn a total package of N4.21 million, while the President of the Court of Appeal is to earn a total monthly package of N4.48 million monthly.
Justices of the Court of Appeal are to earn a total monthly package of N3.73 millon 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 state High Court and Grand Khadi of State Sharia Court of Appeal and President of state Customary Court of Appeal will earn a total monthly package of N3.53 million.
The monthly package comprises basic salaries and all regular allowances, including car fueling and maintenance, personal assistance, hardship, entertainment, utilities, security, outfit, journal subscription, medicals, service allowances, restricted or forced lifestyle, dual responsibility, and legal researchers.
Similarly, the House also approved other job regular allowances that are not embedded in the total monthly package to include leave allowances estacode per night of $2,000 where applicable, duty tour allowances where applicable, severance gratuity of N80, 78m at the completion of a tenure.
There is also an option of a motor vehicle loan due for repayment before the expiration of the tenure of the officer concerned.
Politics Nigeria reports that President Tinubu also sent a similar letter to the Senate. It was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday.
However, Akpabio referred the bill to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Committee on Finance for further legislative work.
