The Senate recently hit the bull’s eye when it lamented the poor remuneration packages given to Nigerian judges and justices as monthly salaries, making them to compromise or be vulnerable to corruption in the process of adjudication and dispensation of justice.
Before commencement of the screening exercise of eight justices recently nominated by President Muhamnadu Buhari from the Court of Appeal as Justices of the Supreme Court, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Kebbi Central), in his opening remarks , bemoaned the poor welfare packages given judicial officers and justices in the country.
“The present situation in the country as regards welfare of judges and justices, call for a major intervention.
Salaries and allowances of judicial officers, judges and justices in Nigeria, were last reviewed in 2008 through an Act of Parliament. At that time, the exchange rate of naira to a US dollar was N117 as against N467 it is now, clearly showing that Judges and justices salaries have been static over the years and even depreciating in value, ” he said.
Specifically, Senator Bamidele said presently, the take home pay of the Justices of Supreme Court per annum as far as basic salary is concerned, is N2.477 million, while those of the Court of Appeal is N1.995 million and judges of the High Court , N1.804 million. He said on a monthly basis, the total take home pay of Justices of the Supreme Court individually is N753,000 while those of the Court of Appeal are paid N608,000 each and the High Court Judges, N556,000.00 each .
“The enumerated poor take home packages for judges and justices, clearly, show that they are not being fortified in any way against temptation on the line of duty,” he said. He added that in South Africa, the Chief Justice collected the highest salary aside members of his family, adequately taken care of, as required measures against temptation and corruption.
Buttressing Senator Bamidele‘s position, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, said issues raised were very critical and requiring urgent attention by the government, including the National Assembly where a bill for upward review of 12-year-old salary structure of the judicial officers, judges and justices can be sponsored and expeditiously considered.
In the same vein, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, had decried that despite the fact that the constitution provides for s separation of powers and independence of the three arms of government, he has continued to go cap in hand to beg for funds to run the judiciary, a situation, he said, has impacted negatively on the administration of justice in the country. He said it was time for the judiciary to take its destiny in its hand, insisting that “we need to borrow a leaf from other climes where things are done rightly so that we don’t keep repeating the same mistake and expect to make progress in our administration of justice.
“The salaries of judicial officers in Nigeria are still very far from an ideal package to take home. Effort should be made by the relevant authorities to increase the salary and also work out measures to improve the welfare package of judicial officers, especially after retirement. The comfort of my brother justices in various courts across the country is one of my topmost priorities and I will pursue it with the seriousness it deserves. Ideally, retired justices should be accorded the benefit of annual medical treatment locally and abroad, if the ‘need arises to go for foreign medicare. The subsisting poor medical care has accounted for the increasing deaths of most of our retired justices, as they often retire into penury and even without any befitting accommodation to rest their pale nerves.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, who was a guest at the event, said President Muhammadu Buhari would take steps to improve both the justice system and welfare of judicial officers in the country. He said based on a presidential mandate, the Committee on the Review of Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service was constituted to ensure that the welfare of judicial officers reflect current realities.
While we commend the pragmatic measures put in place by the Buhari administration to improve the welfare, including the remuneration of judges and indeed members of the judiciary, it is expedient to urge the government to expedite action towards its realisation. This has become imperative, considering the fact that the judiciary is a pivotal arm of government and a key determinant on the nature and form of democracy.
