Court Issues Directive To Buhari, AGF Malami, RMAFC, NJC Over Judges

A National Industrial Court (NIC) on Friday ordered the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to review the salaries and allowances of judicial officers in Nigeria.

The judgement followed an originating summons by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sebastine Hon, against the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the National Judicial Council (NJC) as defendants.

Naija News reports that the order was given by Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, on Friday.

He ruled that the current salaries and allowances of judicial officers in the country is not only abysmally low but embarrassing.

Justice Obaseki-Osaghae stated that it was unconstitutional and unlawful for the federal government not to review judicial officers salaries and allowances for 14 years.

While lamenting the treatment of judges, Obaseki-Osaghae ordered the federal government to commence a monthly payment of the sum of ₦10m to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN); ₦9 million to other justices of the Supreme Court; the sum of ₦9m for the President of Court of Appeal, and ₦8m for other justices of the appellate court; ₦8m for the chief judges of both federal and states high courts ₦8m, while other judges of the courts will take home ₦7m.