AGF Fagbemi Laments 17-Year Neglect in Judicial Officers’ Remuneration

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has expressed deep concern over the stagnation in the remuneration of judicial officers for nearly 17 years, describing it as a major obstacle to meaningful judicial reform. Fagbemi voiced these concerns on Monday during a one-day public hearing on improving the welfare of the judiciary and addressing its financial challenges.

Fagbemi, along with the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, appeared before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters to discuss a bill aimed at prescribing the salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits of judicial office holders in Nigeria—the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Bill, 2024.

Fagbemi highlighted that from May 1999 to March 2011, the Federal Government reviewed the salaries and allowances of public servants and political office holders four times—in 2000, 2005, 2007, and 2011. Additionally, new national minimum wage regimes were established within the same period. However, the salaries of judicial officers were only reviewed twice during that time.

The President of the Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Benedict Kanyip, called for an amendment to the law to address the issue of remuneration for retired judicial officers. He proposed a four-year periodic review of the salaries of judicial officers to ensure their financial well-being.

Meanwhile, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, emphasized that salaries and welfare are not the only critical issues facing the judiciary. She noted that the operational costs of running the courts have become a significant challenge due to low budgetary provisions, which has even led to considerations of shutting down some courts.

These discussions underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to enhance the welfare and operational efficiency of the Nigerian judiciary.