The House of Representatives has approved a bill to increase the salaries, allowances, and benefits of judicial office holders in the country.
As a result, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) will now receive a total monthly package of N5.39 million.
The bill, submitted by President Bola Tinubu, also includes a total package of N4.21 million for other Supreme Court justices and a total monthly package of N4.48 million for the President of the Court of Appeal.
Justices of the Court of Appeal are to earn a total monthly package of N3.73 millon 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 includes basic salaries and all regular allowances such as 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 House approved other job regular allowances that are not included in the total monthly package, such as leave allowances, estacode of $2,000 per night where applicable, duty tour allowances, and severance gratuity of N80.78m upon completion of a tenure.
There is also an option for a motor vehicle loan that must be repaid before the officer’s tenure ends.
President Tinubu sent a similar letter to the Senate, which was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpabio referred the bill to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and the Committee on Finance for further legislative work.
