The Appeal Court President, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has appealed to the Federal Government for an upward review of salaries of Judicial officers in Nigeria.
Justice Mensem made the appeal at the Maiden Edition of the Court of Appeal Legal year and Justices Retreat in Abuja on Monday, September 13.
According to her, the Chief Judge of Nigeria (CJN), earns a net pay of N279,497 monthly, while other Justices on the Supreme Court bench earn N206,425 monthly.
The President of the Court of Appeal which she is, earns N206,425 while other Justices on the bench of the Appeal Court earn N166,285 monthly.
She noted that Nigeria records a poor salary structure for its judicial officers when compared with other African and Commonwealth countries, adding that the last time their salaries were reviewed was in 2008 (13 years ago).
She said, “My Lord, the Hon. Justice Mustapha Akanbi, CFR (of blessed memory), a former President of the Court of Appeal, stated in a publication entitled ‘The main obstacles of justice according to law’ that ‘A good judgment flows from a mind that is not bogged by the thought of where do I get my next meal or where do I get the money to pay my son’s school fees. Poor conditions of service disturb the mind. It is an obstacle to clear and positive thinking.’
“However, the salary structure for judicial officers and staff in Nigeria has consistently ranked poorly when compared to that of their counterparts in other African and Commonwealth countries. The last time salaries of judicial officers were reviewed in Nigeria was February 1, 2007.”
S“The necessary political will for financial independence was demonstrated by his Excellency, Mr. President’s promulgation of the Implementation of Financial Autonomy of State Legislature and State Judiciary Order, 2020, known as ‘Executive Order 10.’
“We therefore call upon the Federal and state governments to live up to their obligations under the law. I also implore the Governments of the Federation and States to urgently review the salaries and allowances of judicial officers and staff. The salaries of Justices are static with no graduation as in the civil and public service. We have been on one salary grade for over 10 years now,” she added.
Reacting, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, assured that the FG was working to review the welfare of judicial officers generally to ensure greater efficiency.
