The National Industrial court has adjourned to July 15, for judgment in the suit seeking upward review of salaries for judicial officers in the country.
Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osagie made the adjournment after the National Judicial Council urged the Court to grant the reliefs sought in the suit.
When the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday, the plaintiff, Sebastian Hon who has the backing of NBA and other senior lawyers in the suit also got the backing of the NJC, who are the 4th Defendant, as its counsel Kunle Adegoke noted that the salaries of Judicial officers have been stagnant for over 14 years without review.
The counsel for NJC Adegoke reminded the court that the issue of locus standii has been liberalized all over the world especially when an issue borders on public interest Contrary to the objections of the National Assembly and Attorney General of the Federation that the claimant lacks the locus standi to institute the suit.
The plaintiff is saying the salaries and emoluments of judges have become a matter of concern and the current economic reality in the country requires that the emoluments of the nation’s judges be improved upon.
Adegboyega Awomolo counsel for the plaintiff noted that the shabby treatment meted to the Judges under section 84(4) of the constitution must be redressed.
Counsel for the National Assembly Charles Yoila while challenging the propriety of the suit against the 1st Defendant without issuing pre-action notice as contained in section 21 of Legislative Powers and Priviledges Act 2017, urged the court to dismiss the suit for lacking in merit, stating that the cause of action does not directly affect the plaintiff.
Counsel for the Attorney General of the Federation Ekene Elodimuo said the position of AGF was based on what the law states, insisting that the claimant has not shown any sufficient interest to file the suit for Judges better welfare, he therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of Jurisdiction.
The Defandants in the suit are the National Assembly, the NUJ Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who are First, Second and Third defendant in the suit, respectively.
Justice Obaseki-Osaghae after listening to the lawyers in the suit fixed July 15 for judgment.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
