Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
President Bola Tinubu has okayed 300% upward review of salaries of judicial officers as he signed into law, the Judicial Office Holders Salaries and Allowances Bill.
Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Presidential Aide said that the gesture was a demonstration of Tinubu’s regard for the welfare of workers.
“In a demonstration of his visionary leadership and deep compassion for the Nigerian people, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCON has once again affirmed his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the nation’s workforce by assenting to the revised Salaries and Allowances for Judicial Office Holders.
“This landmark decision reflects Mr President’s profound dedication to ensuring that every salary earner in Nigeria, especially those serving in vital and strategic roles, receives the recognition and compensation they deserve,” the statement read.
Following the passage of the Bill, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, will be entitled to an annual salary of N64 million.
The President of the Court of Appeal will be entitled to N62.4m, while Justices of the Supreme Court will earn the sum of N61.4m each.
Recall that the National Assembly had in June, passed a Bill which granted 300 per cent salary increase for judicial officers at the federal and state levels.
This followed the consideration and adoption of an Executive Bill transmitted by the President which sought to prescribe improved salaries and allowances as well as other fringe benefits for judicial officers and workers.
The executive bill forwarded by the President was titled: “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters.”
Meanwhile, the statement obtained by Ikengaonline read: “This extraordinary move underscores Mr President’s absolute prioritization of the welfare of Nigerian workers above all else just like he did when he recently put on hold an ongoing Federal Executive Council meeting to assent to the new National Minimum Wage Bill of N70,000.”
“The new Act prescribes salaries, allowances, etc., for Judicial Officers to reflect the changing realities and consequentially amend the provisions of the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.), Act, No.6, 2002 (as amended) to delete the provisions relating to Judicial Office Holders.”
The statement identified one of the crucial features of the new Act as “The amendment of Certain Political, Public, and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) Act, No.6, 2002 (as amended) which provides for the deletion of provisions relating to Judicial Office Holders from the aforementioned Act.”
Continuing, it said: “By prioritizing the financial well-being of our judicial officers, Mr President is not only reinforcing the integrity of our justice system but also setting a new standard for leadership that truly values the hard work and sacrifices of all Nigerian workers.
“Under President Tinubu’s administration, the welfare of our workers has become a central pillar of national progress.
“His visionary policies continue to uplift the lives of millions, ensuring that the dignity of labour is upheld and that those who serve our nation are justly rewarded.
“This assent is a clear testament to Mr. President’s tireless efforts to build a more prosperous and equitable Nigeria, where every worker is empowered to contribute to the nation’s greatness.
“As we look to the future with hope and determination, Mr President remains steadfast in his mission to champion initiatives that deliver fair compensation, improved working conditions, and a brighter future for all Nigerians.”
