Despite N30,000 Minimum Wage, Senate Approves N64M Annual Salaries for CJN

The Senate has approved a bill increasing salaries, allowances, and severance benefits for the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN) and other judicial officers by 300%, as the bill passed the third reading on Wednesday.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the bill’s passage following majority voice votes after considering a report from the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters presented by Tahir Monguno, its chairman.

While the bill may have passed the upper chamber, the President has yet to approve it.

However, if President Bola Tinubu assents to the bill, the CJN will earn N64 million annually, the President of the Court of Appeal will earn N62.4 million annually, and the Supreme Court judges will earn N61.4 million annually.

Meanwhile, the possibility of the President assenting to the bill is likely positive, as President Tinubu had written an executive bill to the Senate seeking to review the salaries of judicial officers.

Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of FCT High Court, Grand Kadi FCT Shariah Court of Appeal, President of FCT Customary Court, Chief Judge of State High Court, Grand Kadi State Shariah Court of Appeal and President State Customary Court of Appeal are to earn the same salaries and allowances.

The annual basic salary for that category is N7.9 million, and N42.3 million as annual regular allowances.

Also, the severance gratuity and motor vehicle loan are N23.9 million and N31.9 million, respectively.

The bill is being considered despite the National Labour Congress’ demand for an increased minimum wage for workers in the country.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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