News
Judicial officers to smile as FG begins implementation of 300% salary hike
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi has said the Federal Government has started the implementation of the 300% pay rise for judicial officers.
Fagbemi said this on Monday at the 12 Convocation ceremony of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) in Ekiti State.
“One ongoing concern before I took office was the poor remuneration of judicial officers,” the AGF said at the event’s grand finale where he was conferred with an honourary doctorate in Law.
“I am again pleased to report that a major intervention of the Tinubu administration in the judiciary is the recent 300% upward review of the remuneration of judicial officers in Nigeria across board. To be true, I can confirm that the implementation of this has begun in earnest.”
He described the move as “an important first step” in the President Bola Tinubu administration’s resolve to “strengthen the judiciary”.
Tinubu had in August signed into law a bill seeking a 300% increase in salaries and allowances for judicial officials.
His comment came months after the Supreme Court recently ruled in favour of local government autonomy in what many have described as a watershed in the nation’s democratic journey.
Earlier in the year, Justice Fagbemi had sued the 36 state governors over alleged mismanagement of local government funds.
Months later, the apex court ruled that it was illegal for states to hold local government funds.
Before the verdict, local government funds were paid into a joint account managed by state governments and LGAs in their domains.
Justice Emmanuel Agim directed that allocation from the federation account should be paid directly to local government areas henceforth, and not to state government coffers.
This is our very modest contribution to the strengthening of our foundation and invariably the country’s democracy,” Fagbemi said.
The AGF also said the Federal Government will be embarking on a holistic review of Nigeria’s laws to respond to the daily needs of the country.
“We have assembled a team of legal luminaries to achieve this within a very limited timeframe,” the minister of justice said.
“This law review intervention will cut across all aspects of our social, economic, and political life.”
Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to settle the ₦45 billion debt allegedly owed to the late Chief MKO Abiola by the Federal Government.
Lamido made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the public presentation of his autobiography titled “Being True To Myself.”
In his remarks, Lamido said it was time for the Nigerian government to bring closure to the June 12, 1993, presidential election saga.
He noted that Abiola, who won the election but was denied the presidency, was still being wronged decades later.
“I would like to appeal to President Tinubu to close the chapter of June 12. In his book, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida revealed that Abiola won the election,” Lamido said.
According to him, when he once met with Babangida, the former military leader disclosed that Abiola was being owed ₦45 billion by the government.
“Abiola is double punished. One, he was denied the presidency. Two, he is being owed. Please tell [Tinubu] to pay Abiola’s family the ₦45 billion. When this money is paid, the chapter of June 12 will be closed. It is very important,” Lamido stated, addressing the Minister of Information who represented the President at the event.
In addition to his appeal, Lamido expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the success of his book project.
He thanked Allah for sparing his life to witness the occasion and extended heartfelt appreciation to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he described as his “Boss, Guide, Leader, and Inspiration.”
“Baba, I sincerely and profoundly thank you. May God Almighty endow and bless you with abundant health, wisdom, joy, and well-being,” he said to Obasanjo, who was present at the event and also wrote the book’s foreword.
He acknowledged General Abdulsalami Abubakar for his integrity and service to the nation, and praised the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, for promoting religious unity and attending the event despite his tight schedule.
Lamido further appreciated Dr. Iyorchia Ayu for reviewing the book and referred to him as a longtime friend and comrade.
He also commended the Editorial and Organising Committees for their commitment, and the Media Subcommittee for creating nationwide awareness about the book.
The book launch drew notable figures and stirred fresh conversation around the unresolved issues surrounding the 1993 election and the late MKO Abiola’s legacy.
A final-year student has tragically passed away after being shot by alleged cultists outside his school campus.
The incident was shared on a popular social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), by Maaloo Dgreat, who posted about the heartbreaking event on his official Facebook page.
In his post, he wrote: “I am heartbroken to hear about your death. The cultists who shot you will never know peace. This is not just a great loss to NIDSUG but to Rivers State. Rest on, Precious A. Briggs.”
Maaloo Dgreat continued, recounting the events leading up to the tragedy: “He was shot last night by cultists outside the school campus in Amassoma. I was reliably told that he had a quarrel and a fight with a cult group and was shot as he turned to go home.”
“He was then rushed to the hospital by friends, but the nearby hospital refused to attend to him. It is so sad and heartbreaking. This is the person who signed out two days ago and was awaiting his final project defense in just three days. It is so sad.”
As the post gained traction online, concerned individuals flooded the comment section to express their thoughts and condolences.
See some reactions below:
Saviour Saviour Idungafa: “Is so shocking to hear this, this was a very gallant comrade in NIDSUG, God have mercy.”
Christine Kyle Ebohimen: “Cultists still exist in campus ? I thought they have been eradicated .. what a youthful life cut short.”
Emumotimi Bryant Sien: “A rivers son?it is high time they pull out all cult groups from higher institutions initiations should be done after graduation.just like the pyrate confraternity.”
Victor Amatu: “It’s unbelievable, I can’t imagine it’s true… This is a very serious matter.. what’s is NDU turning into at the moment… It’s just like a film to my hearing at the moment.”
Raphael Barry: “I hope he was not one of the cultist”
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has given a 24-hour ultimatum to the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, demanding his personal appearance over the recent fire truck accident in Abuja that left three people dead and several others injured.
This directive was issued on Tuesday by the Minority Whip, Rep. Ali Isah, following the agency’s failure to honour an earlier invitation to address the matter.
Naijablitznews.com recalled the tragic incident occurred on Friday evening at ECOWAS Junction, Wuse 2, during an emergency operation at Avenue Plaza, Banex, where a fire truck reportedly lost control, claiming the lives of three siblings.
Rep. Isah expressed dismay that despite graphic videos circulating online, the Fire Service had not issued any public statement or shown presence at the scene. He called on the agency to visit the bereaved family without delay, cover all medical expenses of the victims receiving treatment, and arrange adequate compensation.
He also demanded that the Fire Service take concrete steps to prevent such an incident from happening again.
Earlier in his brief, a top-ranking officer in charge of Administration and Supplies at the Fire Service, Samuel Olumode, admitted the agency deeply regretted the fatal incident in Abuja.
He stated that while the Controller-General couldn’t appear in person due to pressing state duties, he had given clear instructions for a team, including Olumode himself, to represent the service at the hearing.
Olumode eemphasised hat no one takes the loss of life lightly, especially when such a loss is irreversible. He attributed the tragic occurrence to the urgent and chaotic nature of the firefighting operation that night.
According to him, the driver of the fire truck did not stop at the scene immediately after the crash, fearing possible attacks from an angry crowd, something fire crews reportedly face often. However, the driver later turned himself in at the nearest police station and has remained in custody since.
Olumode also disclosed that the Fire Service, under the leadership of the CG, had already begun reaching out to those affected. Visits had been made to the victims’ family and the injured in hospital. Fire officers were also present at the funeral held at the National Mosque and the burial that followed.
He described the moment as extremely difficult for the bereaved family and confirmed that another team had visited the boys’ mother to console her personally.
Olumode added that the Fire Service had made a public apology, which was aired and published by several leading media outlets across the country.
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