CJN to receive N5.39m, Justices to earn N4.2m monthly as Reps pass bill

The House of Representatives has passed a bill for an Act for the upward review of the salaries and allowances of judicial office holders in the country.

In the bill passed by the lawmakers during plenary in Abuja on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) will receive a monthly package of N5.39 million, other justices of the Supreme Court will earn N4.21 million, while the President of the Court of Appeal will earn a monthly package of N4.48 million.

The justices of the Court of Appeal will also receive a monthly package of N3.73 million; while the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Grand Khadi, FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, President of Customary Court of Appeal, Chief Judge state High Court, and Grand Khadi of State Sharia Court of Appeal and President of State Customary Court of Appeal will earn a total monthly package of N3.53 million.

The monthly package comprises basic salaries and all regular allowances, including car fueling and maintenance, personal assistance, hardship, entertainment, utilities, security, outfit, journal subscription, medicals, service allowances, restricted or forced lifestyle, dual responsibility, and legal researchers.

The lawmakers also approved other job regular allowances that are not embedded in the total monthly package to include leave allowances estacode per night of $2,000 where applicable, duty tour allowances where applicable, severance gratuity of N80.78 million at the completion of a tenure.

There is also an option of a motor vehicle loan due for repayment before the expiration of the tenure of the judicial officers.

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President Bola Tinubu had earlier submitted a proposal to the National Assembly on the salaries and allowances for judicial office holders in the country.

Tinubu, in a copy of the letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpiabio and read at plenary on Wednesday, said: “In accordance with the provisions of section 58, sub Section two of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“I forward herein, the judicial office holders, salaries and allowances bill, 2024, for the kind consideration of the Senate.

“The judicial office holders salaries and allowances bill seeks to prescribe salaries and allowances and fringe benefits for judicial officials to end the prolong stagnation in their remuneration and to reflect contemporary socioeconomic realities.”

Tinubu said the bill would establish a new legal framework for the remuneration of judicial officials and would ensure significant improvement in their welfare, capacity, and the independence of the judiciary.

“While I hope that the judicial office holders’ salaries and allowances bill 2024 will be carefully, yet expeditiously considered and passed by the Senate, please accept distinguished Senate President, and distinguished senators, the assurances of my highest esteem,” he added.

The Star