By Damilare Adeleye
President Bola Tinubu has promised that his administration would review the remuneration of judicial officers in the country.
The president said this when he received the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), at the State House in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson.
Tinubu noted that comprehensive review of the salaries and allowances of judicial officers would tackle the issue of corruption in the judiciary.
The President said he knows all about the issues in the judiciary, given his landmark success in reforming justice administration in 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.
President Tinubu equally acknowledged the importance of addressing the current vacancies within the Supreme Court, affirming that these vacancies 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 fulfilment of an obligation,” he said.
The President also extended gratitude to the NBA for extending an invitation to him to declare open the association’s 63rd Annual General Conference this weekend in Abuja.
He acknowledged his privilege of having numerous 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.