A significant development occurred in the upper legislative chamber on Thursday as a bill aimed at increasing the salaries, allowances, and other benefits of Nigerian judiciary personnel successfully moved to the next stage after securing a second reading.
Spearheaded by the Majority Leader of the Senate, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, the executive bill gained traction during the reading, with its core principles emphasizing the potential to enhance the morale of judicial officers and combat corruption if eventually enacted.
During discussions, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau lauded President Bola Tinubu for submitting a bill focused on caring for the welfare of judicial officers.
Showing empathy towards judicial officers, Barau highlighted their predicament of facing significant challenges yet being unable to voice concerns over inadequate wages due to the reserved nature of their profession. He noted that the bill intends to address their remuneration in a manner that would elevate their spirits while performing their duties.
Barau expressed, “This bill is of great significance, and I commend President Bola Tinubu for presenting it as an executive bill. Judicial officers, unlike other workers, are constrained from making demands due to the unique nature of their responsibilities.”
In his closing remarks, Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio approved the bill and assigned it to the Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters for further review, expecting a report from the committee within four weeks.