The House of Representatives has given its stamp of approval to President Bola Tinubu’s proposal to enhance the salaries and allowances of judicial officers.
This move, aimed at revitalizing the judicial sector and bolstering the integrity of the judiciary, comes amidst longstanding concerns about the need for judicial reform and the eradication of corruption within the legal system.
The approved bill, seeking to review the salaries and allowances of the country’s judicial officers, represents a significant departure from previous remuneration structures. Under this legislation, substantial increases in compensation have been allocated to various positions within the judiciary, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and justices of the Supreme Court.
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According to the provisions outlined in the bill, the CJN is slated to receive an annual salary package totaling N64 million. This comprises a basic salary of N13.5 million annually, supplemented by regular allowances amounting to N51.2 million. Similarly, the President of the Court of Appeal is earmarked to receive an annual compensation package of N62.4 million, with justices of the Supreme Court set to earn N61.4 million annually.
The breakdown of the CJN’s salary package reveals a monthly basic salary of N1.1 million, complemented by regular allowances covering various expenses such as personal assistants, hardship, entertainment, utilities, outfit, journal subscriptions, medical expenses, long service allowance, and legal researchers. Additionally, the CJN is entitled to benefits such as a motor vehicle loan of N53 million, leave allowances, and estacodes for foreign trips.
Similarly, justices of the Supreme Court are to benefit from significant increases in their remuneration, with annual allowances totaling N52.6 million, encompassing basic salary and regular allowances.
The salary and allowance structures for other justices within the judiciary mirror similar increments, with Chief Judges of various courts and their counterparts at the state level slated to receive comparable compensation packages.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of FCT High Court, Grand Kadi FCT Shariah Court of Appeal, President of FCT Customary Court, Chief Judge of State High Court, Grand Kadi State Shariah Court of Appeal, and President State Customary Court of Appeal are entitled to the same salaries and allowances.
For this category, the annual basic salary is N7.9 million, and N42.3 million is allocated as annual regular allowances. Additionally, severance gratuity and motor vehicle loans are set at N23.9 million and N31.9 million, respectively.
But will it end corruption in the judiciary?
While the envisaged salary increases hold promise in ameliorating the financial standing of judicial officers, concerns linger regarding their potential efficacy in curbing corruption within the judiciary. Despite the implicit intent of bolstering judicial integrity through enhanced financial incentives, the endemic nature of corruption within the Nigerian judicial system underscores the multifaceted challenges that necessitate a comprehensive approach.
The specter of corruption within the judiciary is intricately intertwined with Nigeria’s political and ethnic interests, as noted in recent allegations levied by retired Justice Musa Dattijo.
Late last year, Dattijo alleged that the exclusion of justices from the southeast and north-central zones from the Supreme Court bench is deliberate. He said, in view of post-election tribunals, the situation was orchestrated by the CJN to shape the outcome of electoral tribunals.
“To ensure justice and transparency in presidential appeals from the lower court, all geo-political zones are required to participate in the hearing. It is therefore dangerous for democracy and equity for two entire regions to be left out in the decisions that will affect the generality of Nigerians. This is not what our laws envisage,” he said.
Dattijo’s assertions denote concerns about the purported manipulation of judicial appointments to sway electoral outcomes, underscoring broader anxieties surrounding equity and transparency in the judiciary’s adjudicative functions.
Transparency advocates said addressing systemic issues that perpetuate corruption within the judiciary requires a multifaceted approach, which means that merely increasing salaries may not suffice in fostering a truly impartial and transparent judicial system. Structural reforms, coupled with robust anti-corruption measures, are said to be essential to upholding the rule of law and restoring public trust in Nigeria’s judiciary.
Stakeholders have called for a holistic approach to judicial reform, encompassing not only remuneration but also measures to enhance transparency, accountability, and professionalism within the judiciary. They said by prioritizing these reforms, Nigeria can bolster the integrity of its judicial system and uphold the principles of justice and fairness for all citizens.