TUC backs Tinubu’s N5m monthly pay for judges

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, signed the Judicial Office Holders Salaries and Allowances Bill into law, raising the monthly pay of judicial officials by 300 per cent.

The PUNCH reports that following the signing of the bill, the Chief Justice of Nigeria will get an annual salary of N64m, translating to N5.3m monthly.

The President of the Court of Appeal will be entitled to N62.4m annually, while Justices of the Supreme Court will earn the sum of N61.4m annually.

All 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 N7.9m annually.

The Trade Union Congress and some civil society organisations on Tuesday welcomed the increment in salaries of judicial officers in the country.

In an interview with The PUNCH, TUC’s Deputy Vice-President, Tommy Etim, said, “The issue of salary increment for judicial officers has been in the pipeline for a very long time. It is not a new topic. It is welcome and I believe this will continue to help the judiciary.”

Also, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in a statement on Tuesday, described the assent as historic and noted that the long-standing demand of judicial officers across the country for improved conditions of service had finally been addressed.

Fagbemi said, “President Tinubu has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the sustainable reform of the administration of justice. This is an important component of that reform. The review of judicial remuneration is a crucial and initial step toward achieving a judicial system that serves the interests of all Nigerians.

“Going forward, my ministry, in partnership with justice sector stakeholders, will work to ensure that additional issues related to strengthening the judiciary are identified and addressed.”

The Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwagumma, described the development as welcome but discriminatory.

“Poor pay makes judicial officers prone to corruption. But why single out judicial officers from other political and public officers? Why was it difficult to also increase salaries of other civil and public servants who are as much affected by the high cost of living in Nigeria as judicial officers?

“The new minimum wage of N70,000 does not address even the most basic needs of workers in present-day Nigeria, where basic food items are now beyond the reach of the average Nigerian,” Nwagumma said.

The Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, on Tuesday, disclosed the signing of the new payment regime for judges in the country.

The National Assembly had in June approved a bill that grants a 300 per cent salary increase for judicial officers at the federal and state levels.

The passage of the bill by the National Assembly followed the consideration and adoption of an executive bill transmitted by President Tinubu, which sought improved salaries and allowances as well as other fringe benefits for judicial officers and workers.

The Executive Bill forwarded by the President was titled “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters”.

 Lado, in a statement on Tuesday, said, “This extraordinary move underscores Mr President’s absolute prioritisation of the welfare of Nigerian workers above all else just like he did when he recently put on hold an ongoing Federal Executive Council meeting to assent to the new National Minimum Wage Bill of N70,000.”

The presidential aide explained that the new Act “prescribes salaries, allowances, etc., for judicial officers to reflect the changing realities and consequentially amend the provisions of the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.), Act, No.6, 2002 (as amended) to delete the provisions relating to Judicial Office Holders.”

According to him, the salient features of the Act include “the prescription of salaries, allowances, and other benefits for judicial officers.”

He described the signing of the bill by the President as a landmark achievement and a manifestation of his unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigeria’s workforce.

Lado said, “In a demonstration of his visionary leadership and deep compassion for the Nigerian people, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCON has once again affirmed his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the nation’s workforce by assenting to the revised Salaries and Allowances for Judicial Office Holders.

“This landmark decision reflects Mr. President’s profound dedication to ensuring that every salary earner in Nigeria, especially those serving in vital and strategic roles, receives the recognition and compensation they deserve.

“By prioritising the financial well-being of our judicial officers, Mr. President is not only reinforcing the integrity of our justice system but also setting a new standard for leadership that truly values the hard work and sacrifices of all Nigerian workers.

“Under President Tinubu’s administration, the welfare of our workers has become a central pillar of national progress.

“His visionary policies continue to uplift the lives of millions, ensuring that the dignity of labour is upheld and that those who serve our nation are justly rewarded.

“This assent is a clear testament to Mr. President’s tireless efforts to build a more prosperous and equitable Nigeria, where every worker is empowered to contribute to the nation’s greatness.

“As we look to the future with hope and determination, Mr. President remains steadfast in his mission to champion initiatives that deliver fair compensation, improved working conditions, and a brighter future for all Nigerians.”

Lado commended the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abass Tajudeen, for their patriotic commitment to progressively improving the welfare of Nigerians.

He also lauded the members of the 10th National Assembly for prioritising the welfare of Nigerians by passing and transmitting the executive vill which has now been promptly assented to by the President.

He urged judicial officeholders in the country to redouble their efforts in ensuring that justice is served and speedily so in the light of the action of the President aimed at enhancing their overall welfare and well-being.

“The judiciary remains the hope of the common man and it is hoped that Nigerians seeking justice get it irrespective of their status in life,” he said.