In a directive from President Bola Tinubu, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has been urged to improve the welfare of Nigeria’s judicial officers. The President’s message was conveyed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, on Monday, November 13, during the opening session of the All Nigerian Judges Conference of the superior courts.
President Tinubu cautioned against undue criticism of the Judiciary, particularly in relation to decisions made on political cases. He also advocated for the appointment of Justices of the appellate court from outside the bench.
During the reading of the President’s speech, which touched on various aspects of the Nigerian Judiciary, he stated, “I have directed the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to review its previous unacceptable recommendation of a 114 percent increase in the remuneration of judicial officers and come up with a more realistic rate that will reflect the present economic reality.”
President Tinubu expressed his optimism that the process will be concluded promptly, asserting that it is his intention to make the Judiciary independent. He affirmed, “I assure you that it will be done here, just be a little patient.”
Addressing the achievements of the Nigerian Judiciary, President Tinubu acknowledged the challenges it faces but emphasized its importance in upholding the rule of law and democracy in the country. He urged everyone to avoid narrow perspectives that revolve solely around political interests when analyzing the Judiciary’s actions.
The President also highlighted the need to address certain challenges facing the Judiciary, including inefficiency and gaps in the process of appointing judicial officers, lack of transparency and accountability in the judicial process and administration of justice, delay in justice delivery, concerns about the independence of the Judiciary, and inadequacy of resources needed for efficient administration of justice in the 21st century.
In conclusion, President Tinubu called on the Judiciary to act with integrity and maintain a high standard of conduct. He stressed the significance of the All Judges Conference as an opportunity to examine and resolve issues that hinder the Judiciary’s role in promoting socio-economic and political development in the country.
Furthermore, the President highlighted the crucial role of the Judiciary in the nation’s economic transformation and called on them to build the confidence of investors through fair and speedy resolution of commercial disputes. President Tinubu also briefly commented on the appointment of private legal practitioners into appellate courts, emphasizing their importance in enhancing the Judiciary’s performance.
With this directive from President Tinubu, it is anticipated that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission will work towards improving the welfare and conditions of Nigeria’s judicial officers to uphold their vital role in the justice system.
