The Senate is set to hold a public hearing today to discuss the proposed increase in salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits for judicial officers across the nation.
A notice of the hearing, dated May 14, 2024, was addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
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The notice, marked NASS/S/CJHL/024 10th Sen/2024/01, was issued by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, Senator Mohammed Monguno.
The letter indicated that the Senate, in its plenary session, had considered the Judicial Officers (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) Bill 2024 and referred it to the Senate Committee for further legislative action.
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Senator Monguno’s letter emphasized the need for public input, stating, “the committee, in furtherance of its mandate, held a series of meetings and resolved to conduct a public hearing to gather comments and viewpoints on the bill from stakeholders and the general public.”
The public hearing is scheduled for today at 12 pm.
This legislative initiative follows the House of Representatives’ passage of a bill, submitted by President Bola Tinubu, aimed at significantly increasing the compensation for judges.
The bill proposes an over 800 percent salary hike, with the Chief Justice of Nigeria set to earn an annual basic salary and allowances totaling N64.6 million, markedly higher than the current compensation.
Other Supreme Court Justices are to receive annual salaries and allowances exceeding N60 million.
The proposed salary increase has garnered support from numerous Senior Advocates of Nigeria, who argue that higher remuneration for judicial officers will reduce susceptibility to corruption and enhance the integrity of the judiciary.
