March 20, 2024 – In a significant move aimed at revising the compensation structure for judicial office holders in Nigeria, the House of Representatives has passed a new bill that prescribes increased salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits. This legislative action, which took place on Wednesday, March 20, follows the bill’s submission to the Green Chamber by President Bola Tinubu on March 19, 2024.
Under the newly approved act, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is set to receive a total monthly compensation package of N5,385,047.26. The bill details comprehensive salary structures for various positions within the judiciary, including other justices of the Supreme Court who will now earn N4.21 million, and the President of the Court of Appeal with a new total monthly package of N4.48 million.
Justices of the Court of Appeal are slated to receive 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 of state High Court, Grand Khadi of State Sharia Court of Appeal, and President of state Customary Court of Appeal will each enjoy a total monthly package of N3.53 million.
The comprehensive monthly package encompasses basic salaries and all regular allowances. These include 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.
Additionally, the legislation introduces other job regular allowances not included in the total monthly package. Notable among these are leave allowances, estacode per night of $2,000 where applicable, duty tour allowances, and a severance gratuity of N80, 78 million upon the completion of tenure. Judicial officers will also have the option of a motor vehicle loan, repayable before the end of their tenure.
This legislative update represents a major overhaul in the remuneration framework for the judiciary, aimed at improving the welfare of judicial office holders across the country. The move is expected to enhance the functioning of the judiciary by providing better support and incentives for these critical roles within Nigeria’s legal system.
