The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, have all expressed support for the proposed 300% increase in judicial officer salaries and allowances in the country.
Fagbemi voiced displeasure with what he called disregard in the remuneration of court personnel for nearly 17 years.
He made the statement on Monday during a public hearing in Abuja held by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters on the progress of the judiciary’s welfare.
The National Judicial Council had recommended a 300% raise in the salaries of judicial officers. The proposal is contained in the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Bill, 2024, which is before the Senate.
This position was supported by the ministers of justice and finance who elevated the urgent need for upscaling the remuneration of judicial officers to salvage the sector.
Stakeholders like the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Industrial Court (NIC), the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) were also in support of the proposal.
The outcome of the public hearing is expected to be presented at the floor of the upper chamber for eventual approval and passage.