•President’s pledge to review earnings should apply to all sectors

The recent pronouncement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that his administration would review the salary of judicial officers, as a measure to fight corruption is reassuring. Speaking while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) led by Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), the President said: “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.”

We have many times called for a review of the salary and emoluments of judicial officers, more so as they are not in a position to speak for themselves, unlike their counterparts in the legislature and the executive, who use their positions to cater for their interests. So, if the president makes a promise to stand up for their interest, we commend him and urge him to walk his talk. We also agree that one of the measures to stop corruption in the judiciary is to pay a fair wage.

Perhaps it would be an opportunity to bring the remuneration, salaries and emoluments of the legislature and the executive within the provisions of the constitution. A combination of sections 84, 124 and the Third Schedule Part 1N of the 1999 constitution (as amended) provides that the remuneration, salaries and allowances of certain named public officers, including the members of the legislature, executive and judiciary shall be determined by a law made by the National Assembly but not exceeding the amount as determined by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

The president also promised to address the vacancies in the Supreme Court. Speaking to the eminent lawyers, the President said: “We will take a look at what they have and we will fill the vacancies. It’s a fulfilment of an obligation.” We agree with the president that filling the vacancies is a constitutional obligation of urgent importance. The constitution provides that the Supreme Court shall consist of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and such number of Justices of the Supreme Court not exceeding twenty-one, as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

Presently, there are only twelve Justices including the CJN, and that miserly number can constitute only one full panel of the apex court made up of seven Justices to determine issues arising from the provisions of sections 232 and 233(2)(b)(c) as provided by section by 234 of the constitution. To ensure the required efficiency of the Supreme Court and reduce the excessive work load of the Justices, and ensure their good health, filling the vacancies is a matter of utmost importance.

Many persons and bodies, including the NBA, have argued that the President has the pedigree to ensure the welfare of the Justices and Judges of our courts, considering his performance as Governor of Lagos state. Without gainsaying, the welfare of the judiciary is for the benefit of every Nigerian and those living in the country. When it is said that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man, it simply means that everyone regardless of standing in the society needs the protection of the judiciary at one time or another.

Yet, we must state that welfare is not the prerogative of the judiciary. All sectors are equally invested in the Nigerian project. So, in reviewing the salaries and emoluments of those under the rubric of RMAFC, we also urge him to ensure a review of salaries of all public servants, particularly the thorny issue of minimum wage. The present wage structure is skewed in favour of public office holders, and it is one fundamental cause of corruption. A living wage would reduce corruption in public service, to the benefit of every Nigerian.

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