A bill seeking the upward review of judge’s salaries, allowances and fringe benefits for judicial officers nationwide came under public hearing at the Senate on Monday.

GALAXY TV reports that the hearing was conducted by the Senate committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters chaired by Senator Tahir Monguno.

Speaking at a one-day public hearing bordering on the advancement of the welfare of the judiciary and the need to salvage an impoverished judiciary, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, bemoaned the neglect in the remuneration of judicial officers for close to 17 years, a situation he asserted as antithetical to any meaningful judicial reform.

Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, had also appeared before the Senate committee for the commencement of hearing on a bill for an Act, to prescribe the salaries and allowance, and fringe benefits of judicial office holders in Nigeria and related matter bill 2024.

President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban- Mensem, and other Judicial office holders said salaries and welfare are not the only crucial issues.

Earlier in his opening remarks, chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Legal Matters and Human Rights Tahir Monguno said the proposed bill aims to readjust the compensation framework for judicial officers, a step that aligns with ongoing discussions about the need to bolster judicial independence through adequate remuneration.

The proposed bill by the executive is part of broader efforts to enhance the welfare of the judiciary, a move seen as crucial for maintaining the judicial system’s independence and efficiency.