Buhari orders immediate implementation of enhanced salary, welfare for Judicial Officers

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday approved the immediate implementation of the enhanced salary and welfare scheme for judicial officers.

The President further directed that measures be taken to strengthen the capacity and independence of the judiciary.

President Buhari gave the order at the official commissioning and handing over ceremony of Nabo Graham-Douglass Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt to the Council of Legal Education.

The President directed the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to promptly commence measures towards realisation and implementation of enhanced salary and welfare scheme for the judicial officers in the country.

Represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Jusitce, Abubakar Malami, SAN said the initiatives were targeted at significantly strengthening the capacity and independence of the judiciary, which he said remained a pillar of strength and stability for the nation’s democracy.

“This administration will, therefore, continue to support efforts to transform the judiciary, as part of a critical strategy, in ensuring a fair, progressive and prosperous society, with the rule of law as its cornerstone,” he said.

Mr. President also called on the judiciary to continue to uphold the ethics of their profession and operate with accountability and probity in the exercise of their judicial and administrative duties.

He also charged the Council of Legal Education to sustain the trust by optimally maintaining and running the project in furtherance of the quest to improve and sustain high standards in legal education.

“The legal profession thrives on sound learning, ethical values, and good character; therefore, it is our abiding duty to sustain high standards for those on whose shoulders rest the future of both the bar and the bench,” he said.

Mr. President also commended the River State Governor Nyesom Wike and congratulated the people of the State, the Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Law and the entire justice sector family for the initiative, which he said culminated in the building and handing over of the new campus to the Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Law School.

He described as commendable the naming the newly commissioned campus after Nabo Graham-Douglas, SAN; former Attorney-General of Eastern Nigeria, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State and Attorney-General of the Federation.