Judiciary: Senator Orji Kalu Advocates Improved Remuneration And Benefits For Judicial Office Holders In Nigeria.

The Chairman Senate Committee on Privatization, Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), a ranking Senator, on Thursday, 9th May, 2024, lent his voice to a bill sponsored by Senator Bamidele, Michael Opeyemi (Ekiti Central) which seeks an improved salaries, allowances and fringe benefits for judicial office holders in Nigeria.

The former Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Kalu, opined that the standard of living of the judicial office holders, especially in the states, was nothing to write home about.

The former Governor of Abia State, Kalu, while supporting the bill, thanked the Executive for having the courage to increase the salaries of the judiciary at all levels, which hasn't happened in the last fifteen years.

The Abia North lawmaker, Kalu, however, put the judiciary on guard to be more circumspect and prudent in discharging their duties, to give the Nigerian people justice, now their salaries have been fairly increased.

Debating further, Kalu argued that the increment in salaries of the Judiciary, should also be extended to other sectors of the Nigerian Workforce, considering the economic realities ordinary citizens are facing.

Kalu urged the 10th Senate, as lawmakers to encourage the Executive Arm of Government to bring more bills, most importantly, in other sectors that contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, so as to give fair working conditions to other workers.

"The bill slightly came at the 9th Senate, but didn't see the light of the day. No right thinking Nigerian, won't think it's good to make the Judiciary comfortable, especially those in the States, because when you go to the States and see Judicial Officers jump on bikes and tricycles, you will cry for the nation. In supporting this bill, I want to thank the Executive for knowing and deeming it fit to increase the salaries of judiciary at all levels. They didn't just say, the Supreme Court, Court Appeal or Courts in the State. I want to also caution that now they have comfortable salary, they should face to give the Nigerian people justice, which they demand. Mr President, this is how it should be. We should not only stop in the Judiciary, we should also look at the other sectors of the economy, people's salaries, because of the cost of things in the market today, is, so high. We should encourage the Executive, as lawmakers to bring more bills to other sectors of the economy, so that they can also enjoy the increment. Thank you Mr. President." Kalu said.

Other lawmakers alongside Senator Kalu, who debated on the bill, were; Sen. Tahir Monguno (Borno North), Sen. Emmanuel Udende (Benue Northeast), Sen. Oyewumi Olalere, (Osun West), Sen. Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South), Sen. Oshiomole (Edo North), Neda Imaseun (Edo South), Abba Moro (Benue South), and Jibrin Barau (Kano North)

The Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries, Allowances, and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Office Holders in Nigeria, and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 419) passed Second Reading and was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back to the Senate in four (4) weeks.