The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill to increase the salaries, allowances and benefits of judicial officers.
The legislation titled “Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Officers Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters (2024) was read for the third time on Wednesday after the lawmakers considered the report of the committee of judiciary, human rights and legal matters.
The bill was read for the second time on May 9, 2024 and referred to the committee for further legislative input.
Presenting the report, Tahir Monguno, chairman of the committee, argued that increasing the salaries and allowances of judicial officers would ensure the effectiveness and independence of the judiciary. He recommended that the bill be read for the third time and passed.
After taking the report, the Senate reverted to the committee of the whole for a clause-by-clause consideration. The bill was put to a voice vote and the majority of lawmakers supported its third reading.
President Bola Tinubu in a letter read by Godswill Akpabio, the Senate president, during plenary on March 20, had argued that the bill will promote the capacity of the Nigerian judiciary system.
The House of Representatives on March 20 passed the bill which provides a monthly package of N5.39 million for the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).
The executive bill also provides a total package of N4.21 million for justices of the Supreme Court, while the president of the Court of Appeal is to earn a total monthly package of N4.48 million.
Also, 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 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 allowance, 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.
