In a significant development, a bill outlining a revamped salary and allowance system for judicial officers across the nation has successfully passed its third reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, which was presented to the House by President Bola Tinubu, aims to address the longstanding issue of stagnant remuneration within the judiciary, urging prompt action for its passage.
In his accompanying letter, President Tinubu emphasized the necessity of this legislation to alleviate the prolonged stagnation in the compensation of judicial officers, aligning it with current socioeconomic dynamics.
Following thorough deliberations, the lower legislative chamber unanimously approved the bill during its third reading session.
Outlined within the bill is a breakdown of remuneration, notably highlighting that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is set to receive a monthly salary of N5.4 million, totaling N64.8 million annually.
Breaking down the figures, the CJN’s monthly pay comprises a basic salary of N1.1 million alongside regular allowances amounting to N4.3 million.
Furthermore, the proposed annual package includes diverse components such as personal assistant allowance, hardship allowance, entertainment allowance, utility allowance, outfit allowance, journal subscription allowance, medical allowance, long service allowance, restricted or forced lifestyle allowance, dual responsibility allowance, and legal researchers’ allowance.
Additionally, the bill allocates N61.4 million annually for justices of the Supreme Court, indicating a comprehensive overhaul in the compensation structure for the judiciary.
