- Toheeb Olalere
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, Etc) Act, 2024, into law.
The association’s president, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, described the move as a “historic and truly remarkable achievement” in a statement issued earlier today.
He Said “In my Inaugural Address on 26 August 2022, I made a commitment, inter alia, that my administration will not only continue with the actions which seek essentially to protect the dignity of the judiciary for proper discharge of its constitutional functions and duties, we will seek engagement with government and other stakeholders in ensuring that immediate measures are taken to guarantee proper remuneration for Judges and Justices in service and for their comfort upon retirement.”
“This is a historic and truly remarkable achievement, seeing as previous successive administrations have repeatedly neglected the Judiciary.”
The new law, which was enacted after constructive engagement between the NBA, government, and other stakeholders, aims to guarantee proper remuneration for judges and justices in service and upon retirement.
Maikyau noted that the last review of judicial officers’ salaries and allowances was in 2007, making this development long overdue.
The NBA president also praised the leadership of the 10th National Assembly for expediting action on the bill and the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef O. Fagbemi, SAN, for his invaluable support and contribution to getting the bill passed into law.
Maikyau, who is set to exit office as the 31st President of the NBA on August 29, 2024, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to be part of this achievement, which he believes will enhance the integrity and independence of the judiciary and ultimately benefit the Nigerian people.