The Senate has passed a bill seeking to increase the salaries and allowances of judicial officers across various levels.
The bill, which recently scaled second reading, was sponsored by Senator Ashiru Yisa, the deputy majority leader of the Senate representing Kwara South under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The proposed legislation, 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),” received overwhelming support during deliberations in the Senate chamber.
According to details outlined in the bill, the monthly salary package for judicial officers is set to be substantially raised, with specific figures allocated to different positions within the judiciary hierarchy.
For instance, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is slated to receive a monthly package of N5.39 million, while Justices of the Supreme Court and other senior judicial figures are also earmarked for significant salary increases.
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 $2000 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.
The initiative to increase judicial salaries and allowances was initiated by President Bola Tinubu, as highlighted in a letter read during a previous plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
President Tinubu emphasized the importance of promoting the independence and capacity of Nigeria’s judiciary system, sparking bipartisan support for the bill in the Senate.
During debates on the bill, several senators commended President Tinubu for championing the cause of judicial welfare and emphasized the critical role of a well-compensated judiciary in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all citizens.
