On Thursday, May 9, the Senate passed a Bill aiming to elevate the salaries and allowances of judicial officers, following thorough deliberations.
Titled “A bill for an act to prescribe the salaries, allowances and fringe benefits of judicial office holders in Nigeria and for related matters (2024),” the bill was sponsored by Senator Ashiru Yisa, the deputy majority leader of the Senate representing APC-Kwara South.
The House of Representatives had previously passed the bill on March 20, proposing a monthly package of N5.39 million for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The bill also suggests a total package of N4.21 million for Justices of the Supreme Court, with the president of the Court of Appeal expected to receive a monthly package of N4.48 million.
Additionally, other judicial officers, including Justices of the Court of Appeal and various chief judges, are slated to receive monthly packages ranging from N3.53 million to N3.73 million.
The bill outlines additional allowances such as leave allowances, estacode, duty tour allowances, and severance gratuity. It also offers the option of a motor vehicle loan to be repaid before the expiration of tenure.
President Bola Tinubu had previously proposed the salary increase in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on March 20. Tinubu argued that the bill would bolster the independence and efficacy of Nigeria’s judiciary system.