Dr. Kayode Ajulo, a prominent constitutional lawyer, has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to address the issue of judges’ salaries in Nigeria and align them with the compensation received by Senators. In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Dr. Ajulo extended his sympathies to Justice Adeyeye, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, who was directly affected by the collapse of a section of the state High Court.
Taking advantage of the situation, Dr. Ajulo used this opportunity to call on the government to prioritize the reconstruction of old court buildings nationwide and comprehensively tackle the long-standing issue of judges’ wages. He expressed deep concern over the disproportionate remuneration of the judiciary compared to the other two branches of government, despite the crucial role they play in upholding justice and the rule of law.
Emphasizing the need for a substantial reform in the salary structure of judges, Dr. Ajulo stressed the importance of aligning their compensation with that of Senators. He argued that judges, who are entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding justice and ensuring the fair administration of law, should receive salaries commensurate with the significance of their work.
Drawing attention to the tenure of President Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Ajulo hailed the successful court redesign and renovation projects carried out during that time. He called for the replication of such initiatives nationwide, now that President Tinubu holds the highest office in the land.
In addition to addressing the issue of judges’ wages, Dr. Ajulo highlighted the importance of ensuring the security and well-being of justices. With the recent extension of their retirement age, he underlined the need for heightened measures to protect federal judges. Citing the ongoing dispute between the Osun State government and its Chief Judge as an example, Dr. Ajulo urged the government to declare a state of emergency to safeguard the welfare and security of federal judges who may face potential threats or conspiracies.
Furthermore, Dr. Ajulo underscored the need for comprehensive social and welfare security for judges. He called for fair and improved salaries and emoluments to be implemented to support the judges in carrying out their vital role in upholding justice and democracy. Dr. Ajulo referenced a 2022 judgment by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria that advocated for a substantial increase in the salaries of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and other judges. He emphasized that judges’ salaries have remained stagnant since 2008, making it imperative to take immediate action to rectify this issue.
As custodians of justice and the common man’s refuge in governance, judges play a pivotal role in upholding democracy. Despite shouldering the burden of political irregularities and providing justice for politicians, their salaries do not reflect the significance and magnitude of their work. Dr. Ajulo drew attention to the glaring disparity between the number of federal judicial officers, which is less than 300, and the more than 400 politicians at the National Assembly who receive substantial salaries and emoluments. He urged the government to bridge this gap by ensuring that judges are duly compensated for their indispensable role in society.
The salary stagnation issue faced by Nigerian judges remains a pressing concern. Dr. Ajulo’s appeal serves as a call to action, urging President Tinubu and the government to address this longstanding issue and bring about the necessary reforms. It is hoped that this plea will resonate with the authorities and lead to a comprehensive and equitable remuneration system for judges in Nigeria, recognizing their vital contributions to upholding justice and the rule of law.