National
Pay Cut For Buhari, Govs: SERAP Gives Reasons
Wants Increase In Judicial Officers’ Pay
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to urgently review upward the remuneration, allowances, and conditions of service for Nigerian judges, and cut the pay of President Muhammadu Buhari, governors, and executive officeholders.
The group said the move would address the persistent poor treatment of judges, and to improve access of victims of corruption to justice.”
SERAP in a letter to Engr. Elias Mbam, Chairman, of RMAFC also urged him “to send your review and recommendations to the National Assembly for appropriate remedial and legislative action, as provided for by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].”
The letter followed the nationwide industrial action by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to press home their demand for financial autonomy for the judicial arm of government, and the federal government’s silence on the judiciary workers’ strike that has grounded courts across the country.
In the letter dated 10 April 2021 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, demanding a pay cut for Buhari and other executive office holders, the organization said: “Judges should get all to which they are reasonably entitled, and it is unfair, illegal, unconstitutional, and discriminatory to continue to treat judges as ‘second-class people’ while high-ranking political office-holders enjoy lavish salaries and allowances.”
SERAP expressed concern that: “The remuneration and allowances of judges have fallen substantially behind the average salaries and allowances of political office-holders such as President, Vice-President, governors and their deputies, as well as members of the National Assembly.”
SERAP said: “Nigerian judges are among the least paid in the world. The poor treatment of judges is neither fair to them nor to the Nigerian people. Judges deserve remuneration, allowances, and conditions of service commensurate with their judicial powers and responsibilities.”
According to SERAP, “While the remuneration and allowances of judges are grossly insufficient to enable them to maintain themselves and their families in reasonable comfort, high-ranking political office-holders continue to enjoy lavish allowances, including life pensions, and access to security votes, which they have powers to spend as they wish.”
Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us
And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG
