The Katsina state government has dismissed complaints by judicial officers and state counsels regarding poor working conditions, inadequate tools, and low remuneration, which they claim have affected service delivery.
In an exclusive interview with The Nation, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Fadila Muhammad Dikko, refuted the allegations, asserting that the situation has significantly improved.
She highlighted several achievements, including the provision of quality laptops, upgraded office equipment, and the establishment of law pavilions over the past year.
“The state government has also approved a memo for the provision of ICT volumes 1-8, the upgrading of law libraries, and a one-year supply of essential materials for appellate courts. State counsels are adequately taken care of, making their complaints misleading,” Dikko stated.
The Nation recalls that some senior judicial staff and state counsels in the Ministry of Justice have anonymously reiterated concerns about low pay and inadequate resources, citing the reasons for an exodus of legal professionals to private sector opportunities.
In a related development, the Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, has issued a stern warning to magistrates and sharia court judges against interfering in police investigations.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed magistrates and sharia court judges, Justice Abubakar emphasized that any judge who issues orders to halt police investigations will face removal from office.
He further clarified that magistrates and sharia courts lack the jurisdiction to stop police investigations, urging judicial officers to adhere strictly to their legal boundaries.
When President Bola Tinubu hosted judicial officers to iftar at the State House last Tuesday, he said they had “one of the most unrewarded responsibilities” in the country.
At the event were Chief Justice Olukoyede Ariwoola and his predecessors Walter Onnoghen and Mahmud Mohammed.
Tinubu said: “I recognise that the judiciary has one of the most unrewarded responsibilities. They are yet to modernise equipment and recordkeeping, and their progress towards improvement is slow.
“When you look at the career path of a judicial officer, they cannot practise the vocation for which they were trained after retirement.
“While the framers of the law may have their reasons, I perceive this differently and see this from a fair compensation angle that should benefit all.”
Backing words with action
The President had earlier forwarded “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria and for Related Matters 2024”.
The House of Representatives, on March 20, passed the bill, with a total monthly package of N5.39 million for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), including allowances.
In the executive bill, other justices of the Supreme Court are to earn N4.21 million monthly, while the President of the Court of Appeal is to earn N4.48 million.
The bill seeks to amend Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act, No. 6, 2002 (as amended) by deleting Section 2(b), Part II of the Schedule to the Act.
When signed into law, the legislation will take effect from January 1, 2024.
A breakdown of the bill shows that the CJN is entitled to N13.46 million annual basic salary or N1.12 million monthly basic salary.
The CJN, by the provisions of the bill, is also entitled to N51.16million annual regular allowances or N4.26million monthly regular allowances.
The CJN is also entitled to non-regular allowances of a N6.73million leave allowance (when applicable), N142,500 Duty Tour Allowance (per night); $2,000 estacode (per night), N80.78million severance gratuity (after successful completion of tenure) and N53.85million as vehicle loan (to be repaid before expiration of tenure), while professional development assistant is to be paid from the NJC pool.
Other justices of the Supreme Court are to earn N9. 91million annual basic salary or N826,116.19 monthly salary.
The justices are each entitled to N50. 56 million annual regular allowances or N4.21 million monthly regular allowances.
Each of them is also entitled to non-regular allowances of N9.91million rent (annually), a N4.96million leave allowance (when applicable), N100,000 duty tour allowance (per night); $1,300 estacode (per night); N29.74m severance gratuity (after successful completion of tenure), N29.74million furniture allowance and N39.65million as motor vehicle loan (to be repaid before expiration of tenure), while Professional Development Assistant is to be paid from the NJC pool.
The Court of Appeal president is to earn N9. 91million annual basic salary or N826,116 per month.
He/she is entitled to N53million annual regular allowances or N4.48m monthly regular allowances; non-regular allowances of N9 91m rent (annually); N4.96million leave allowance (when applicable), N100,000 duty tour allowance (per night); $1,300 estacode (per night); N29.74million severance gratuity (after successful completion of tenure), N29,74million furniture allowance and N39.65million as motor vehicle loan (to be repaid before expiration of tenure), while professional development assistant is to be paid from the NJC pool.
Each of the Justices of the Court of Appeal will earn N7.99 million annual basic salary or N665,475 monthly salary and will be entitled to N44.72million annual regular allowances or N3.73million monthly regular allowances.
They are also entitled each to non-regular allowances of N7.99million rent (annually); N3.99 million leave allowance (when applicable), N85,500 duty tour allowance (per night); $1,100 estacode (per night); N23.96million severance gratuity (after successful completion of tenure); N23.96million furniture allowance and N31.94million as motor vehicle loan (to be repaid before expiration of tenure), while professional development assistant is to be paid from the NJC pool.
Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of FCT High Court, Grand Khadi of FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, Resident FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Chief Judge State High Court, Grand Kadi State Sharia Court of Appeal and President State Customary Court of Appeal are entitled to the same salaries, allowances and fringe benefits.
Judges of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, FCT High Court, FCT Customary Court of Appeal, State High Court, State Customary Court of Appeal, Kadis FCT Sharia Court of Appeal and Kadis State Sharia Court of Appeal are entitled to the same salaries, allowances and fringe benefits.
Each of them is entitled to N7.22 million annual basic salary or N601,880 monthly salary; N36.84million annual regular allowances or N3.07million monthly regular allowances; non-regular allowances of N7. 22million rent (annually), N3.61million leave allowance (when applicable), N57,000 duty tour allowance (per night), $600 estacode (per night); N21. 68million severance gratuity (after successful completion of tenure), N21,68million furniture allowance and N28.89million vehicle loan (to be repaid before the expiration of tenure), while professional development Assistant is to be paid from the NJC pool.
The bill, according to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), proposes a 300.3 per cent increase.
The President did a similar thing in 1999 as governor of Lagos State.
Highlighting the stagnant state of judges’ salaries and emoluments since 2007, Fagbemi said: “It takes a man with a great heart, determination, and consideration to do what the President did.
“More than 300.3 per cent salary increase has been given to the judges. The President has done his part.”
What judges earn elsewhere
There had been concern over the welfare of judges, which some observers feared could make them susceptive to financial inducement.
In September 2013, former CJN, Aloma Mukhtar, during a new legal year ceremony, bemoaned the judiciary’s steady budgetary decline from N95 billion in 2010 to N67 billion in 2013.
Since 2014, however, the budget has climbed from N68 billion to N110 billion in 2019 and remained so in 2020 and 2021.
Worried by the stagnation in the salaries and allowances of judicial officers, a retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ejembi Eko, at a valedictory session held in his honour in May 2022, called on the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to “synergise and introspect and tell the world why the dereliction since 2007”.
Justice Eko said there had been several calls for the review of the salaries of judicial officers and nothing had been done to remedy the situation.
Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad, who retired from the Supreme Court on October 27, 2023, in his valedictory speech, also made a similar case.
According to Justice Dattijo, the salary of Supreme Court Justices had remained static at N751,000 for 15 years without the graduation that occurs in public service.
He said Supreme Court justices’ salaries had not only remained stagnant, but the value had depreciated so much due to galloping inflation over the years.
Justice Dattijo said if the judges cannot pick their bills, they can more easily succumb to the monetary temptations dangled by the political class.
“It is as simple as that. They should earn salaries comparable to those of ministers or more,” he said.
What Justices earn in other climes
South Africa
In South Africa, the salary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is reviewed periodically.
As of September, last year, the Chief Justice earns R3,072,480 per annum (about N210 million) while that of the Deputy Chief Justice is R2,765,159 per annum (about N189.7 million).
The President of the Supreme Court of Appeal earns R2,765,159 per annum (about N189.7 million) while the Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal earns R2,611,589 (about N178 million).
A judge of the Constitutional Court and a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal earn R2,458,019 (N168.8million). A High/Labour Court judge earns R1,997,130 annually (about N137.2million).
Ghana
The majority of judges in Ghana earn a salary between GHC 936 and GHC 6,663 (about N656,000) per month.
A monthly wage for entry-level Judges ranges from GHC936 to GHC3,039.
After gaining five years of work experience, their income will be between GHC1,512 and GHC4,804 per month.
Kenya
The Supreme Court of Kenya is composed of seven judges. As of 2021, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kenya is entitled to a basic maximum salary of Ksh 990,000 (about N9.7million) with an allowance of Ksh 375,000.
When all allowances are factored in, the CJ’s total monthly salary is set at a maximum KSh 1.3 million in consolidated pay, according to Kenya’s Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
The Deputy Chief Justice, on the other hand, is entitled to a monthly consolidated pay of KSh 1.23 million
Other Supreme Court judges earn a monthly consolidated salary of KSh 1.218 million (about N12 million). They also earn KSh 250,000 as a special responsibility allowance per month, in addition to a sitting allowance of Sh40,000 for every special court sitting.
They are entitled to a maximum of eight sittings bringing the amount to KSh 320,000 in a month.
Lawyers: proposal a good start
Wahab Shittu (SAN), Dr. Fassy Yusuf, former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr Monday Ubani, Dr Adewale Kupoluyi and a former Commissioner of Ogun State Judiciary Service Commission, Abayomi Omoyinmi welcomed the new bill.
Shittu described the development as salutary.
He said: “Our judges remain stellar in the sub-region, Africa, commonwealth and the rest of the world. Regrettably, the salaries paid in return for these sacrifices are peanuts and not commensurate.
“Enhanced salary/welfare packages for our Judicial officers, including an increased budgetary allocation to the justice sector will deliver access to justice and enhanced performance in the critical areas of infrastructure, justice delivery, respect for constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, rights protection, zero tolerance for corruption and good Governance. We neglect the judiciary to our collective peril.”
Yusuf said any salary increase should be holistic.
“We need to look into the welfare of other people who are assisting our judicial officers in the dispensation of justice. I am talking about the registrars, the research assistants and other people in the judiciary,” he said.
“Being a federation, the states should be able to fashion out their own. Lagos State has been doing this for long. The remuneration of judicial officers in Lagos is not the same as others. So, I would expect other states to follow suit.”
Yusuf also called for more support beyond salary increases.
“We are talking about technolog. Most of our courts are not technology-driven. They have archaic and anachronistic methods of operation. When you get to the Supreme Court, they are still using a manual system of writing.
“We should operate the way others operate in developed countries like Britain, United States, Canada. Other jurisdictions have gone beyond this manual way of writing. They have developed a system of dispensing justice using technology.
“The power supply should be improved upon. The environment generally should be improved upon and the security of our judicial officers should be guaranteed. As I said, an idealistic welfare package and improved environment should be embarked upon,” Yusuf said.
‘Higher salaries will insulate judges’
Ubani hopes the new proposal, when passed to law, will enhance judicial independence.
He said: “Higher salaries will help insulate judges from financial pressures, potentially reducing susceptibility to corruption and ensuring decisions are based solely on the law and fact.”
He also believes it will attract highly qualified practitioners to the bench.
“Competitive compensation is essential for attracting and retaining highly qualified legal practitioners to the judiciary.
“This is crucial for maintaining high standards of justice in the country and so must be pursued vigorously from now onwards,” he said.
Ubani noted that increasing judges’salaries and allowances reflects the huge responsibility they perform in the judicial sector.
According to him, the responsibilities borne by judges, including making decisions that can deeply affect individuals’ lives, communities, and the interpretation of laws, justify reasonable salary and allowance commensurate with these significant responsibilities.
Ubani said: “We all know how judges in Nigeria write in long hands and their daily cause list is something that is suffocating.
“They are certainly overworking themselves and therefore deserve adequate remuneration commensurate to their volumes of output.
“An increase for judges’ salaries to say the least is a necessity.”
He said the adjustments will reflect inflation or the cost of living, ensuring that judges’ real income which has decreased for several years due to stagnation in salary increase does not remain the same.
“Ultimately, the decision to leave the present increase or add more to it should be made to promote an efficient, independent, and fair judiciary, balanced against the need for fiscal responsibility and public accountability,” Ubani added.
‘Strengthen institutions to make corruption impossible’
Kupoluyi said judges deserve to be paid well given the enormous work that they do.
“The economic situation also makes it imperative for judges and workers to get an upward review of their remunerations.
“Naturally, it is expected that when the bill is passed into law, it would address the issue of corruption often ascribed to the judiciary because our judges would be more comfortable to do their work without fear or favour,” he said.
Kupoluyi noted that as desirable as the plan is, allegations of corrupt practices against judges may not go overnight because corruption is not caused by poor wages and salaries alone.
“As human beings, it is possible that some judicial officers live flamboyant lifestyles that cannot be changed even with the new payment regime.
“We should not also forget that when we say that judges are corrupt, some people are guilty of this, who serve as conduits. Hence, both the giver and receiver of the bribe are culpable.
“Therefore, our democratic institutions should be strengthened to make it extremely difficult to engage in graft.”
He called for the introduction of stiffer penalties for those found guilty, and tightening of loose ends in the apparatus of justice administration that makes it possible for the legal system to be manipulated, as it were.
‘Full autonomy needed’
Omoyinmi, while commending the proposed salary structure, said it was long overdue, considering the enormous work that judicial officers do.
He ascribed this to the number of cases in their dockets and the lack of adequate tools to enhance the quick dispensation of justice.
Omoyinmi lamented that for long, judges have been made to operate under very harsh unreliable conditions.
He said: “It is essential that the remuneration of our judges is proportional by way of salary and other emoluments to the enormous work being put into the administration of justice to reflect what Judges earn in the most advanced legal system country.
“The full autonomy of the judiciary will also go a long way in improving the remuneration for our judicial officers in the justice system like ours.”
Omoyinmi was of the view that the emoluments should be structured within the Judiciary’s budget instead of relying on the executive.
“I believe that what President Tinubu has proposed as salary and allowances will significantly go a long way in improving the administration of justice.’’
A judge of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Nelson Ogbuanya, has urged judicial officers to keep abreast of applicable information and communications technology (ICT) innovations.
Justice Ogbuanya said updating their ICT skills would help judges perform their duties faster and more efficiently.
He observed, for instance, that judges with basic technology skills would be less dependent on ICT staff and secretaries for preparing judgments, which often slows the process of obtaining certified true copies (CTCs).
The judge was one of the panel discussants on ‘Leveraging technology in justice administration, issues & challenges,” at the just ended Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference.
Ogbuanya presented a paper on ‘Towards effective deployment of ICT infrastructure in judicial system’.
He said: “Judges should update their ICT skills and knowledge and take charge of the ICT processes. They should not rely much on ICT staff and secretaries and should form the habit of preparing judgement orders rulings without depending much on the secretaries, which often slows down the process of obtaining CTC of court judgments, orders and rulings.”
Referencing the conference theme, Facing the future, the judge said the future of an effective justice delivery system in the country requires integration of “traditional methods with evolving opportunities presented by the application of modern ICT facilities.”
Ogbuanya suggested that the report of the Justice Kashim Zannah (Chief Judge of Borno State) -led NJC Judicial Information Technology Policy (JITPO) launched on July 10, 2012 should serve as a guide for how the Judiciary would leverage ICT to its advantages.
Nevertheless, he warned the judicial system to be wary of several challenges affecting the effective deployment of ICT infrastructure in the judicial system.
He said: “They include lack of requisite it skills, fear associated with change reforms and reluctance to embrace new way of doing things don’t been absolute technology.
“Lack of integration of payment platform, poor funding of ICT activities and acquisitions, systems damaged by virus, easy manipulation by dishonest administrators and possibility of hackers breaking into the system.”
Another panellist, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, spoke on the legislative framework for admissibility of electronic evidence in Nigeria.
He said the sector cannot escape from the reality of the digital age as cases coming before courts now take new forms and actions.
He cited examples of computer forgery, identify theft, cybercrime, etc.
“As lawyers, we must understand these realities and know how to apply them in our practice,” the judge said.
Another panelist, Dr. Amanim Akpabio, cited the amendment made by the American Bar Association in 2012 to their rules, that a lawyer must be competent in delivering services which include ICT competency. He urged the Nigerian Legal System to adopt same.
Dr. Tammy Danagogo chaired the session while Mr. Mike Mbon was the final panelist.
CHIEF Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen has reiterated the need for judicial officers to be firm in their pronouncements.
He spoke yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the 2018 annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
The chief justice assured that the judiciary would ensure that the country moves forward.
“According to him, judiciary officers must continue to be in charge of their courts. This is the only way respect will be given to the judicial system in Nigeria.”
The chief judge said arbitration was one of the set rules of court, adding that out-of-court settlement was the clause that provided for arbitration.
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Mr. Abubakar Malami said there no need to prolong issues in the courts, and stressed the need to settle matters through arbitration.
According to him, arbitrators are not out to suppress the power of the courts, but Nigeria procedural requirements are meant to be obeyed.
He added that more needed to be done to boost arbitration in the country, adding that Nigeria must be in the forefront of promoting the practice.
Malami express optimism that the challenges facing arbitration would be resolved by the conference participants.
President, CIArb UK Mr. James Bridgeman said Africa must look at the challenges facing arbitration.
According to him, relationship and transparency must be maintained, if the institute must move forward in Nigeria.
“Africa must look at their challenges, learn lessons from it and develop solution. The future of Africa is in the hand of individual,” he said.
Chairman, CIArb, Nigeria Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour said Nigeria
was committed to advocating use of alternative dispute resolution.
According to her, “we continue to play a pivotal role in advocating for the reform of the legal framework for arbitration in Nigeria with a view to having an up-to-date legal framework.
“We will work with our legislature and other stakeholders on the reform of Nigerian Arbitration and Conciliation Act, enacted in 1988,” she said.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) has admonished judicial officers to be wary of the antics of politicians as the country gradually moves into another season of intense political activities.
Onnoghen, who advised them to always be guided by the Constitution, their Code of Conduct and oath of office, warned Justices and judges against yielding themselves and positions as tools for politicians.
The CJN also regretted the growing impunity in the Executive arm, which he noted, accounts for why some states were reluctant to comply with the constitutional provision for fiscal autonomy for the Judiciary.
Onnoghen spoke in Abuja on Friday while swearing in 12 High Court judges, recently elevated to the Court of Appeal.
He said: “You have to abide by the Constitution and the Code of Conduct, which actually is an extension of the oath of office that you have just taken.
“When you adhere to your oath of office, the code of conduct, the Constitution and the application of the law to the task before you, and abide by judicial precedent, you will be home and dry. You will continue sleep and snore.
“You don’t care whose ox is gored, because the law is there to defend you. It is only when you apply short cut that is when you invite problem.
“Be focus and courageous because you are carrying the whole country on your head in terms of dispensation of justice.
“It is now time for politics. Things will be done to raise the temperature of this country within and outside of the political space.
“You have to be very, very careful not be used as a tool. You should be guided by judicial precedent, particularly in election and election related matters,” Onnoghen said.
He said the responsibility of a judge is to resolve disputes in accordance with the dictate of the law and to always apply the law in resolving cases brought before his court, without bothering who wins and who loses.
The CJN said the Bill recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari did not just provide financial autonomy to the Judiciary as being erroneously implied. He said the provision has always been in the Constitution.
He said: “Section 121 of the Constitution has always been there. The only amendment is to bring in the state Houses of Assembly.
Onnoghen, who read the provision of the Constitution, said “the provision for financial autonomy for the Judiciary has always been there in the Constitution.
“What has always been the problem is the absence of courage, political will in the Executive arm of government to implement and enforce this provision. That is all. We pray, and will keep on praying that.
“Some state governments have do the right things, others are ready to do. Those, who are yet to, we encourage them to enforce and implement this provision.
“This is because the independence of the Judiciary, particularly, it’s financial independence, is the bedrock of democracy itself. We have gone too far to go back.
“We are under a democratic dispensation, a constitutional democracy for that matter. That is why I keep on saying that the rule of law is the solution to all of our problems.
“If we operate under the rule of law and are bound by the rule of law, then impunity, which is the bane of our democracy, will disappear.
“If not for impunity did the Executive not know that the issue of financial autonomy for the Judiciary is a constitutional provision?” the CJN said.
The Niger State government has released N30 million as wardrobe allowances for its Magistrates and Judges.
This, it said, is to avert an imminent strike. It promised to meet other demands soon.
The Magistrates and Sharia Court Judges last week gave a 21-day ultimatum for the government to meet their demands.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasara Danmalam, stated this yesterday during the meeting of Chairmen and Secretaries of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the North Central Zone of Minna.
According to him, the government has discussed with the Police Commissioner, who has agreed that security personnel would be given to the Magistrates and Judges.
Danmallam said the money will be disbursed this week, stressing that the government will attend to the problems facing the judiciary promptly.
He hoped that the officials would see the government’s sincerity through these steps and not go on strike.
Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged judicial officers to maintain discipline and uphold high level of integrity in the discharge of their duties.
The governor spoke in Ilorin yesterday at the swearing-in of Acting Grand Khadi of the Shariah Court of Appeal, Kadi Mohammed Ola Abdulkadir.
According to him, the current development in the country’s judicial system calls for great concern.
His words: “The judiciary must be protected and enabled to perform its constitutional roles in the interest of our nascent democracy and public order.
“Officers of the law and indeed all citizens, whether within or outside government, must join hands to protect, uplift and sustain our judiciary.”
Ahmed called on the new Grand Khadi to be an agent of positive change and dedicate himself to uplifting the image of the judiciary.
“All judicial officers and politicians must uphold the sanctity, integrity and sobriety associated with the judicial arm of government,” he added.
He promised that his administration would uphold the welfare of judicial officers and make the environment conducive for the quick dispensation of justice.
Abdulkadir thanked Ahmed for the opportunity to serve and promised to work with his colleagues to ensure a stable judiciary.
Contrary to recent media reports speculating various figures the nation’s Judicial Officers earn annually, it has become necessary to lay bare at the public domain of what the jurists are paid or not paid.
A total of 1062 Judicial Officers, both at the Federal and State levels are in the pay rolls of the National Judicial Council (NJC). While N2, 256, 351, 435.33 (that is N2.3b approximately) was paid to the 248 Federal Judicial Officers including the Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2015, a sum of N6, 398, 303, 106.64 (N6.4b approximately) was paid as salaries and allowances to 814 state Judicial Officers. In other words, both the Federal and State Judicial Officers earn the sum of N8.7b as salaries and allowances per annum in Nigeria.
A further breakdown shows that the 248 Judicial Officers comprise of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, other Justices of the Supreme Court, President of the Court of Appeal, other Justices of the Court of Appeal, and Justices of the Federal High Court, Federal Capital Territory High Court, National Industrial Court, Sharia Court of Appeal and Customary Court of Appeal and their heads.
At the same time, the 814 States Judicial Officers are made up of 70 heads of court (i.e.36 Chief Judges, 17 Grand Khadis and 17 Presidents of Customary Court of Appeal); and 744 Judicial Officers.
By virtue of the ‘’Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008’’, CJN’s annual basic salary is N3,353,972.50 (or N279,497.71 monthly), while other Justices of the Supreme Court receive N2,477,110.00 as basic annual salary or N206,425.83 monthly.
These earnings are exclusive of tax. By the time other allowances are posted, the CJN and other Justices of the Supreme Court receives monthly salary alert of N480, 766.89 and N751, 000 in their bank accounts respectfully. The CJN’s net monthly salary is even lower than his Lordship’s Brother Justices because of deductions made on account of other monetary and material provisions such as food items, which are provided to him by the Federal Government.
Again, among the misconceptions given in the said dailies were such that Judges are paid furniture, accommodation, leave and accommodation allowances on monthly basis. Judges stay in the government quarters and cannot at the same time being paid accommodation allowance.
Furniture, allowance is paid every four years, while the leave allowance is earned once in a year. The car loan facility also added in their calculations is optional; it is a benefit noticed more in the papers than the beneficiaries.
Come to think of it, out of N73 billion appropriated for the Judiciary in 2015, the State Judiciary recurrent was N10.77b and that of the Federal was N41.60b; adding up to N52.33b as total recurrent. The capital for the Federal was N16.92b, the capital for the State Judiciary form part of the State government budgets.
Behold, if the Nigeria Judicial Officers gulp up N33.47b out of N52.33b, what then is left to absorb the overheads, salaries and wages of the administrative staff of the Courts, National Judicial Council, Federal Judicial Service Commission, National Judicial Institute, Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, Body of Benchers and so on?
Take for instance, in 2015; N7.00b was appropriated for the Supreme Court by the National Assembly. Out of that, while N304, 137,542.21 was budgeted for the ‘’consolidated salary of Justices’’ of the Supreme Court, N1, 122,909,366.76 , N2,795,953,091.03 and N2,777,000,000.00 were budgeted for the Supreme Court staff salary, overhead and capital respectively.
In other words, the Supreme Court staff salary appropriation was almost four times that of the Justices of the apex court.
The Court of Appeal in the same 2015 appropriation got N11.10b, which was made up of N1.214b consolidated salary of Justices of the Court of Appeal, N2, 699b personnel, N4.699b Overhead (including Election Tribunal) and N2.496b capital.
These are the patterns of disbursement with the Federal High Court, Federal Capital Territory High Court, National Industrial Court and Customary Court of Appeal (FCT) that got N12.1b, N7.0b, N5.6b and N3.05b respectively. It is therefore questionable to say that N33,47b was incurred by the CJN and the rest of Judicial Officers annually out of the miserable budgetary figures appropriated for the Judiciary year after the year.
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mahmud Mohammed yesterday urged judges and justices to desist from corruption and other unethical practices.
He warned that the National Judicial Council (NJC), the disciplinary organ of the Judiciary, would sanction any judicial officer linked with corruption.
The CJN also urged judicial officers to ensure speedy consideration of criminal cases, particularly those relating to economic crimes in line with the 2013 Practice Directions on Serious Crimes and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Justice Mohammed, who expressed delight at the Act, noted that the combination of the ACJA and the 2013 Practice Direction would eliminate delay in criminal justice administration.
The CJN spoke in Abuja yesterday at the 2016 refresher course for judicial officers on trends in law and administration of justice. The course organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI), has, as its theme: Promoting judicial performance through innovation and reforms.
Justice Mohammed noted that the negative effects of corruption had been experienced by every Nigerian, and that the Judiciary had been judged harshly and on the receiving end of allegations of corruption.
“At this time in our nation’s history, we must show the red card to corruption, while joining hands as patriotic citizens to campaign for zero-tolerance for corrupt practices.
“We must not forget our noble duty, as ministers in the temple of justice, to uphold the rule of law impartially and without fear. To establish and sustain public confidence in the judicial process, judges must live above board, shun corruption, and avoid corrupt practices and misconduct.
“It bears reminding that your lordships have sworn to adhere to your Oath of Office as contained in the 1999 Constitution and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, 2003.
“Indeed, let me reiterate that where any judicial officer is found culpable of corrupt practice, be rest assured of the preparedness and resolve of the National Judicial Council to sanction such judicial officer.
“My lords, as you are aware, the Judiciary endured intense, largely unjustified and grossly uninformed criticisms regarding delay in the administration of justice.
“However, I am proud that the Judiciary was ahead of the curve when the 2013 Practice Directions on Serious Crimes were adopted as they were aimed at reducing criminal trial delays.
“Nonetheless, the new Act strengthens our resolve as it provides that applications for stay of proceedings shall no longer be heard in respect of a criminal matter.
“This unprecedented provision puts a stop to delays occasioned by interlocutory applications to stay proceedings pending appeal on preliminary matters when the substantive issues are yet to be tried on merit.
“Upon arraignment, the trial of the defendant shall proceed from daily until the conclusion of trial, while each party is entitled to five adjournments not exceeding two weeks each. Where the trial is still not concluded, the interval for adjournments will be reduced to seven days each.
“As such, the Act provides a chance for judges to ensure speedy dispensation of justice and I expect the provisions to be fully utilised.
“I must similarly urge your lordships to treat cases related to economic crimes and corruption with the urgency the previously mentioned 2013 Practice Directions mandated us to apply.
“Judges must also be stringent in applying the law strictly to render justice in a satisfactory manner to parties, whether they are the state, the accused or the victim,” Justice Mohammed said.
The CJN spoke about other reform measures being introduced to ensure that the nation’s Judiciary keep up with developments.
“Although we may not shout about achievements, I am proud to say that the Judiciary has continued to work assiduously to examine areas of the law and implement procedural innovations and rule changes that have led to an improvement in the effectiveness and efficiency of court processes,” he said.
Justice Mohammed called for the collaboration and support of judicial officers to ensure the success of the reform initiatives introduced to ensure a Judiciary that can effectively protect the rights of all.
‘’We must ask ourselves hard questions and go beyond empty rhetoric. We must claim ownership of our evolution from where we are to where we want to be.
“As an arm of government, the Judiciary cannot sit on the sidelines and watch others chart its course. We must be at the helm, steering our affairs towards a justice system, which the people deserve.
“No doubt, this requires our collective and individual determination to strive for excellence and the will to work towards the implementation of pragmatic steps at achieving excellence in the administration of justice.
“The Judiciary can only mature when it holistically embarks upon continuous reform and positive innovation in the discharge of its statutory responsibility to uphold and protect the rights of citizens, preserve the rule of law and ensure adherence to due process,” the CJN said
The Chief Judge of Kogi, Justice Nasir Ajanah (CON) has called for the constant training and re-training of judicial officers, including the area of Internet Computer Technology (ICT) to enhance their capacity and efficiency in the administration of justice.
Ajanah made the call while declaring open a 10-day induction seminar/workshop for newly appointed magistrates, Area Court judges and Registrars at the state High Court complex, Lokoja.
The Chief Judge described the job of judicial officers as onerous and therefore requiring of up-to-date skills, knowledge and instinct that would enable them perform optimally and efficiently in the
dispensation of justice.
Ajanah who noted that the programme for new magistrates (seven) and Area Court judges (12) and three Registrars in the state as the first of its kind, said magistrates were before now appointed and sent out without proper training, a practice he observed as being
counter-productive.
“You are going to be faced with a lot of criminal cases so it is important for you to know how important it is for you to conduct yourselves in such a way that will bring honour to your profession.
You will have to know how to access electronic evidence and use it. You are going to be dealing with cases with some involving electronic mails or even telephone sms,” he said.
He urged them to abide by their Code of Conduct and maintain cordial relationship with the registry.
According to the Chief Judge, the training which is expected to last from November 16 to 25, would cover Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Code of Conduct, Relationship with the Bar and court procedures among others.
It will be recalled that the Chief Judge last week, and with approval of the state Judicial Service Commission appointed seven new magistrates and 12 Area Court judges following vacancies created by
retirements and death among others.
Responding on behalf of the participants, Ms. Rashidat Adinoyi expressed gratitude to the state judiciary for the appointment and training opportunity.
