25th August, 2023
President Bola Tinubu on Friday promised that his administration will fill the current vacancies for justices in Supreme Court and conclude the review of templates for improvement in remuneration of judicial officers in the country.
The President spoke when he received the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by Barrister Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) at Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The NBA team was in the presidential villa to invite the President to declare open the association’s 63rd Annual General Conference holding this weekend in Abuja, Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, (Media & Publicity) said in a statement.
Tinubu told the NBA team that the battle against corruption in the judiciary cannot be won unless a comprehensive review of the salaries and allowances of judicial officers is carried out.
The President added that he is well aware of the issues at stake, as he recorded a landmark success in reforming justice administration when he was the governor of Lagos State.
“We must deal with the review of remuneration if we truly want to fight corruption in the Judiciary. We will look at the cost as well as the consequences,” he said in response to a request by the NBA president.
On the current vacancies within the Supreme Court, the President noted that they represent obligations that must be fulfilled based on recommendations put forth by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
“Majority of them are on holiday now and when they return, we will take a look at what they have and we will fill the vacancies. It’s a fulfillment of an obligation,” he said.
Tinubu thanked the NBA for extending an invitation to him to declare open the association’s 63rd Annual General Conference this weekend in Abuja.
The President also noted that he has many lawyers as close aides, including the Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the State Chief of Protocol, Amb. Victor Adeleke, and his Principal Private Secretary, Prince Damilotun Aderemi.
The NBA President, in his remarks, commended the President for appointing very distinguished members of the bar into his cabinet, including Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.