A bill seeking to increase the salaries and allowances of judges at all levels has passed second reading in the senate.

The bill was considered after Lola Ashiru, deputy majority leader, led the debate during plenary on Thursday.

Ashiru said the bill, which was sent by the executive, will enhance the integrity of the judicial arm of government.

Contributing to the debate, Tahir Monguno, senator representing Borno north, said improving the welfare of judges will insulate them from corruption.

“There is a need to bring up the remuneration of judicial officers that have stagnated over the years,” Monguno said.

“This will insulate judicial officers from corruption and give them courage to deliver judgments that are just and fair.”

On his part, Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing Abia north, said increasing the salaries of the judges is the right thing to do.

“No right thinking Nigerian will not think that it is right to keep the judiciary comfortable. I want to thank the executive for deeming it fit to increase salaries of judges at all levels,” Kalu said.

“We should not stop at the judiciary but look at other sectors of the economy.”

Emmanuel Udende, senator representing Benue north-east, said judges have had their morale dampened over the years because of poor remuneration.

“For the past 15 years, judicial officers have remained on meagre salaries,” he said.

“When you interact with them as a lawyer, you see their morale is dampened, and when the morale is dampened the work will be.”

The bill passed second reading after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Credit: The Cable