The country’s chief justice, Olukayode Ariwoola, the attorney general and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the minister of finance and the coordinator of the economy, Wale Edun, have all voiced support for the proposed 300% increase in the pay and benefits of judicial officers.
Fagbemi voiced his concern over what he described as nearly 17 years of neglect in court officers’ compensation. At a public hearing held on Monday by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters about the improvement of the judiciary’s welfare in Abuja, he made this statement.
Judicial officers’ pay should be increased by 300%, according to the National Judicial Council’s recommendation. The Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Bill, 2024, which is pending before the Senate, contains the proposal.
The justice and finance ministers backed this stance, emphasizing how urgently increasing judicial officers’ salaries was necessary to save the industry.
The plan was also supported by stakeholders such as the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Industrial Court (NIC), the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
It is anticipated that the results of the public hearing will be brought to the upper chamber’s floor for final approval and passage.