Dr. Kayode Ajulo, OON, a renowned constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Ekiti State judiciary following the unfortunate collapse of a section of the State’s High court. He particularly sympathised with the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, who was directly affected by the incident.
Ajulo used the opportunity to call on the government to prioritize the reconstruction of old court buildings nationwide and address the issue of judges’ wages comprehensively. He emphasized the need to reform the salary structure of judges to bring it on par with that of Senators.
“It is crucial for the government to replicate the successful court redesign and renovation carried out in Lagos State during Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s tenure as Governor. This initiative should be extended nationwide now that he is the President” Ajulo stated.
In addition, Ajulo stressed the importance of ensuring the security of justices, especially in light of the recent extension of their retirement age, citing the issue between the Osun State government and the Chief Judge of the State. He urged the government to declare a state of emergency to safeguard the welfare and security of federal judges, as they may face potential conspiracies.
“What happened to the Ektit CJ is symbolic and a pointer to the present fortune of most of them as endangered species.” He said.
Addressing the issue of security, Ajulo emphasized that it extends beyond physical safety. He said the social, spiritual and welfare security of judges should also be critically addressed, including fair and improved salaries and emoluments. Ajulo drew attention to the 2022 judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which called for a substantial increment in the salaries of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and other judges, stating, “It is unacceptable that judges’ salaries have remained stagnant since 2008, and this necessitates immediate action.”
Ajulo underscored the crucial role of the judiciary in upholding democracy and serving as the common man’s refuge in governance. He lamented the disproportionate remuneration of the judiciary compared to the other two arms of government despite the significance of its works.
“Despite shouldering the burden of political irregularities and providing justice for politicians, the judges’ wages do not reflect the significance of their work. With less than 300 federal judicial officers compared to over 400 politicians at the national assembly receiving substantial salaries and emoluments, it is imperative to ensure that judges receive salaries commensurate with their indispensable role.
“It is high time the government recognizes the vital role of judicial stability and provides just compensation for our esteemed judges. Aligning their salaries with that of Senators will demonstrate the value we place on their tireless dedication to upholding justice and maintaining the rule of law.” Ajulo concluded.