The immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Muhammad, is expected to get a N2.5bn severance package from the Federal Government.
Muhammad’s resignation on health grounds was announced on Monday, less than a week after the 14 Supreme Court Justices accused him of financial malfeasance and maladministration.
Following the development, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday swore in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the next most senior Justice as the acting CJN.
As part of the package for the retired chief justice put together by the National Judicial Council, a mansion will be built for him in Abuja or any city of his choosing with a lump sum for furnishing.
This is in addition to a gratuity that is 300 per cent of his annual basic salary of N3.36m as well as a pension for life.
The National Judicial Commission had in 2019 recommended the payment of N2.5bn for Muhammad’s predecessor, Walter Onnoghen.
A former CJN, Alfa Belgore, was also reportedly paid about N2.8b after he retired from service.
Just like state governors, a retired chief justice is entitled to at least four domestic staff and sundry allowances for personal upkeep.
This includes allowances for accommodation, utilities, entertainment, medical, security, furniture, and vehicles.
Though the remuneration and severance package of political, public and judicial officers were published on the website of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the full details of the allowances were not disclosed.
The former CJN would get the financial package based on the provisions of Section 291 (2) and (3a-c) of the 1999 Constitution as well as Section 2 of the Pensions Rights of Judges Act.
A senior lawyer said Muhammad, being the head of the judiciary, would be well paid so that he would not have to work again for life.
“The severance package is as humongous as the one paid to former Senate President. He would also be a member of the Council of State,” he added.
Accordingly, the Senate President directed the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to unravel the root cause of the recent development in the judiciary and how best the upper chamber could address the concerns raised by the Justices.
Lawan said, “The chamber mandates the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to go ahead with its assignment in the quest to find a lasting solution to the matter by interacting with relevant stakeholders to address the complaints raised in the petition by the Justices of the Supreme Court.
“Mandate the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to interface with the relevant stakeholders in the three arms of Government as well as the Bar and the Bench and collate aggregate views and positions on the short-term, medium-term and long-term measures needed to decisively address the crisis facing the judiciary, including the immediate fiscal intervention as well as long-term and sustainable budgetary allocations required for the optimal performance of the judiciary, in line with global best practices; and urge the Senate to wish the Hon. Chief Justice well, following many years of meritorious service to the nation and to pray for his good health.”
Lawan noted that Justices were taciturn and reticent in handling issues outside their judicial domain but resorting to such measures to protect the Judiciary required the Senate to rise to the occasion to ensure that their demands were addressed.
