The National Judicial Council (NJC) has lamented a situation where retired Judges are owed their retirement benefits and gratuities by states they served.
The council headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, said the development was unacceptable and ordered state chief judges to file reports on compliance by the state governments by April 1, 2023.
A statement by the spokesperson of the NJC, Mr. Soji Oye, on the worrisome trend on Thursday reads:
“The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON at its 100th Meeting held on 19 January 2023, deliberated on the worrisome situation whereby many Judicial Officers of the States are being owed their retirement benefits, including severance pay/gratuity and pensions.
“After due consideration, Council condemns in very strong terms this act, which is undermining the Rule of Law and Section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.
“It therefore calls on the offending States to ensure that all entitlement of retired Judges are fully settled forthwith.
“Council further directed State Chief Judges to file reports on compliance, to reach the Council not later than 1 April 2023.”
