Connect with us

Politics

The Senate has passed a bill seeking to increase the salaries and allowances of judicial officers across various levels.

Published

on

Spread the love

 

The bill, which recently scaled second reading, was sponsored by Senator Ashiru Yisa, the deputy majority leader of the Senate representing Kwara South under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The proposed legislation, titled “A bill for an act to prescribe the salaries, allowances and fringe benefits of judicial office holders in Nigeria and for related matters (2024),” received overwhelming support during deliberations in the Senate chamber.

According to details outlined in the bill, the monthly salary package for judicial officers is set to be substantially raised, with specific figures allocated to different positions within the judiciary hierarchy.

For instance, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is slated to receive a monthly package of N5.39 million, while Justices of the Supreme Court and other senior judicial figures are also earmarked for significant salary increases.

Justices of the Court of Appeal are to earn a total monthly package of N3.73 million, while the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Grand Khadi, FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, President of Customary Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of State High Court and Grand Khadi of State Sharia Court of Appeal and President of State Customary Court of Appeal are to earn a monthly package of N3.53 million.

Other allowances not embedded in the total monthly package include leave allowances, estacode per night of $2000 when applicable, duty tour allowances when applicable, severance gratuity of N80.78 million after successful completion of tenure as well as an option of motor vehicle loan to be repaid before the expiration of tenure.

The initiative to increase judicial salaries and allowances was initiated by President Bola Tinubu, as highlighted in a letter read during a previous plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

President Tinubu emphasized the importance of promoting the independence and capacity of Nigeria’s judiciary system, sparking bipartisan support for the bill in the Senate.

During debates on the bill, several senators commended President Tinubu for championing the cause of judicial welfare and emphasized the critical role of a well-compensated judiciary in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all citizens.

 

Politics

Biden and Trump to meet in the Oval Office, the White House says

Published

on

Biden and Trump to meet in the Oval Office, the White House says
Spread the love

President Joe Biden will host President-elect Donald Trump for a traditional postelection meeting in the Oval Office on Wednesday, the White House has confirmed.

Such a meeting is customary between the outgoing president and the incoming president, and is meant partly to mark the start of a peaceful transfer of power under America’s democracy.

But Trump, a Republican, did not host Biden, a Democrat, for a sit-down after the 2020 election, when Trump lost his reelection bid.

Trump sought the presidency four years later, and this week he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat. Trump is the first former president to return to power since Grover Cleveland regained the White House in the 1892 election.

The White House said Biden called Trump this past Wednesday to congratulate him and invite him to meet in the Oval Office.

In a speech on Thursday, Biden said he had assured Trump “that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition. That’s what the American people deserve.”

Their upcoming meeting is set for 11am EST (7pm GMT).


Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.


Want an expert briefing on US politics and the presidential race? Listen to our latest podcast Talking Politics USA

Continue Reading

Politics

Zelenskyy hits out at ceasefire proposal

Published

on

Zelenskyy hits out at ceasefire proposal © Karollyne Videira for Unsplash
Spread the love

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected calls for a ceasefire put forward by some leaders, arguing that a temporary halt in fighting would only benefit Russia and that measures are needed to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

At a recent summit, Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the idea of a ceasefire, stating: “A ceasefire is proposed, for instance, by a leader who opposes Ukraine’s integration into NATO. Imagine… it’s absurd and divisive.”

This statement comes as Ukraine, for the first time this week, targeted North Korean soldiers sent to Russia.

According to a high-ranking U.S. official speaking anonymously to the New York Times, Kim Jong Un’s troops have already suffered heavy casualties.

Meanwhile, Joe Biden has promised to continue supporting Ukraine militarily and financially during the final two months of his term before leaving the White House.

Continue Reading

Politics

Obaseki: EFCC May Arrest Me Next Week But I Have Nothing To Hide

Published

on

Obaseki: EFCC May Arrest Me Next Week But I Have Nothing To Hide
Spread the love

 

Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, says he has been told that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will come knocking when his tenure elapses next week.

Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be handing over to Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 12.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, during the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session, ThisDay reports Obaseki as saying that he would spend his time in EFCC custody doing some research.

“I hear that the EFCC will pick me next week after my tenure. Wherever they keep me, I’ll spend time doing research,” he said.

Obaseki, who has served as Edo governor since 2016, said he has left a legacy in the state.

“There are many things we have done that can be described as legacy projects,” he added.

“I believe in Edo state. One of the things that will last for a very long time to come is the fact that we were able to focus on Edo people and the things that matter to them, reform and implement those things.”

Obaseki said he is being hounded by a “cruel and wicked” opposition in the state, adding that he would gladly hand himself over to the anti-graft agency when the operatives come calling.

“Why should I have fears? I just focused on what I believe in and today, you can see what has been achieved. What happens after that is not up to me,” the outgoing governor said.

“They can continue with their political witch-hunt and do all they can to hurt me, that’s their problem.

“I’m not afraid, I’m not worried. They have written all sorts of silly petitions against me and that’s part of the challenge. In fact, I can even hand myself over, and if they call me, I don’t have anything to hide.

“You know how this country is, it is all about bitterness, it is all about vendetta, wickedness.

“People who have opposed me in Edo state are cruel, very wicked people, very jealous and envious and this is because they cannot show as much as the achievements we have made in the past eight years.

“But what is important to us is to focus on our people in order to make Nigeria better because the suffering is too much.

“We have the advantage and privilege to make things happen. So, we should focus on issues and not on vendetta.”

On September 22, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo winner of the Edo governorship election with 291,667 votes.

Asue Ighodalo of the PDP and Obaseki’s preferred candidate, polled second with 247,274 votes.

Ighodalo has promised to challenge the outcome of the election in court.

Continue Reading

Trending