*Okays N9m for S’Court Justices; N9m for President, Court of Appeal; N8m for Appeal Court Justices
*Chief Judges of Federal, States High Courts get N8m; Judges of Federal, States High Courts to receive N7m
In what can be regarded as giving a directive for realistic wages for judicial officers, prevent compromise and restore judges’ dignity, Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae of a National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja, on Friday, ordered the upward review of poor salaries of judicial officers.
Justice Obaseki-Osaghae also ordered the Federal Government to commence a monthly payment of N10 million to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), N9 million to other Justices of the Supreme Court and N9 million to the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA).
The court also directed upward review of salaries for other judicial officers as Justices of the Court of Appeal will get N8 million monthly; Chief Judges of both Federal and States High Courts are to get N8 million while Judges of the Federal and States High Courts will receive N7 million.
A senior lawyer, Mr Sebastian Hon (SAN) had filed the suit before the NIC, asking the labour court to increase the salaries of judicial officers .
Incidentally, the National Assembly and the National Judicial Council (NJC) had tried unsuccessfully to settle the dispute out of court.
The plaintiff (Hon) also named the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as co-defendants to the suit
In his final address, lawyer to Hon, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), submitted that the salaries and allowances of judicial officers remain unchanged since 2008.
Delivering her landmark judgment, Justice Obaseki-Osaghae held that the refusal of the government to review the judicial officers’ salaries and allowances for 14 years was unconstitutional, unlawful and should be compelled to do the needful.
Justice Obaseki-Osaghae lamented that it was unfortunate that justices and judges who are ministers in the temple of justice have become victims of injustice in the country.
The judge further held that despite the increased workload on judicial officers, they have continued to suffer in penury owing to their “extremely low salaries and allowances” and described the take-home pay of judges as “very embarrassing”.
She said, “There is no doubt that from evidence adduced before this court that salaries payable to judges as well as their conditions of service, has been greatly altered to their disadvantage.
“Judicial officers are daily impoverished by the devaluation of the naira.
“They have suffered financial hardship and embarrassment owing to their poor pay. It is a shame to the country.
“In spite of this, our judges have continued to carry out their statutory duties
“Justices are themselves victims of a great injustice. What an irony.”
The judge directed that the order should be served on the RMAFC and the AGF.
She also awarded N1.5 million fines against RMAFC, the AGF and the National Assembly.
