High Court Judges have been assured of a new remuneration package in Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.
The Governor, Professor Ben Ayade made the promise after swearing in Justice Maurice Eneji, a former interim Chief Judge as the new President of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal alongside four new High Court Judges and four Customary Court judges.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the governor, Mr. Christian Ita indicated that the new four High Court Judges include Justice Obo Agbor Anthony, Justice Ititim Felix Igobi, Justice Dada Eunice Oshim and Justice Ankpor Jeremiah Arong.
The release also indicated that the Customary Court judges were Justice Daniel Ofre Kulo, Justice Rita Otu Marshall, Justice Odibu Emmanuel Ekanya and Justice Obin Blessing Egwu.
Poor salary structure
Governor Ayade, who decried the poor salary structure of judges in Nigeria, vowed to increase the emoluments of judges in Cross River State towards the end of the first quarter irrespective of dwindling financial resources.
“This is a clear statement that will charge the whole federation to look into the issue of the salary of Judges.
From the 1st of March 2022, the salaries of our judicial officers in Cross River State will be changed for good. We will increase your salaries so that other states can know that Cross River, which is number 35 out of 36 states in terms of federal allocation can increase the salary of Judges.
“If Cross River State can increase the salary of Judges, which state will not increase? It is a way to compel them to increase the salary of Judges because it is sad that you put a man in such a sensitive position and expose him to temptation by leaving him on the same salary scale for 13 years,” he reasoned.
“Cross River State will enact the appropriate law in partnership with the legislature so that by March, we will have a new salary structure for our judges,” he added.
He charged the new Judges “to be shining examples of Cross River. Be shining stars, be that agent of change that will bring fairness, justice, goodness, kindness and sincerity to the judiciary as a whole.
“As you hold your Bible today while taking the oath, do not forget the significance of that Bible. Let your God be your watchword; let the fear of God be your guide because your children and grandchildren will reap from what you do,” the Governor said.
Ayade reminded the Judges of their position as the bastion of hope for the common man and the elite, noting
“You must not compromise justice,” he admonished.
A one-time acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Eneji, described Ayade as the most judiciary-friendly Governor.
“You are the most judiciary-friendly governor. This is the third time you are swearing-in Judges into office. Also, before you came to office, the judiciary was owed a backlog of allowances for nearly two years.
“You came on board when the judiciary staff were angry and decided to go on strike. But, in your humane nature, you gave us your word and you kept your words till date,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of the Customary Court of Appeal and appealed for a more expansive and befitting judiciary headquarters in the state.
Nneka Ukachukwu
