President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yakubu Maikyau has called for better funding of the magistracy across states to enhance grassroots justice delivery and address criminal activities in society.
Maikyau stated this in a press release on Wednesday following the signing into law of the Judicial Office Holders Act.
The Act increases the salaries of judicial officers in the country.
The NBA leader urged the National and State Houses of Assembly to consider including magistrates within the definition of judicial officers in the constitution as part of the ongoing constitutional review.
“The need for high public confidence and respect for the judiciary is essential for our peaceful coexistence. It is necessary for economic growth, development, and prosperity. This crucial element of our stability cannot be overstated,” he said.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to protecting the dignity of the judiciary for effective discharge of its constitutional functions, Maikyau stated, “We engaged government and other stakeholders to ensure immediate measures for proper remuneration of judges and justices, both in service and upon retirement.”
He noted, “By the grace of God Almighty, and without intending to sound immodest, we successfully accomplished this task, leading to the enactment of the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, Etc.) Act, 2024. This achievement resulted from constructive engagement with all arms of government.”
Maikyau congratulated the Nigerian judiciary and the entire legal profession on the enactment of the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, Etc.) Act, 2024, which received assent from President Bola Tinubu on August 9, 2024.
He described it as a historic achievement, noting that previous administrations had neglected the judiciary, with the last review of judicial officers’ salaries occurring in 2007.
