Ogun CJ laments unfair treatment of judicial workers

By James Ogunnaike

The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, yesterday,lamented over what she described as long-standing poor remuneration and unfair treatment of judicial officers in Nigeria, pointing out that the unfair treatment is plaguing the country’s judicial system.

Dipeolu, who stated this while delivering her remark at the Conference of Judges in Ogun State, which was part of programmes to usher in 2025/2026 Legal Year in Ogun state, disclosed that judges’ salaries remained stagnant for 15 years, from 2008 to 2023, despite the critical role they play in upholding the rule of law. She stated that the stagnation of judges’ salaries for over a decade has led to financial struggles and neglect, which has negatively impacted their well-being and ability to deliver justice effectively.

Dipeolu also highlighted that inadequate funding of the judiciary, poor infrastructure and outdated technology, have also hindered the effective administration of justice in Nigeria.The Chief Judge expressed concern about the mental health of judges, citing research that shows judges experience high levels of distress, burnout, obesity, hypertension, and mental health issues due to workload and stress.

While urging the government to consider regular salary increment and improved working conditions to promote judges’ well-being, Dipeolu noted that a healthy and well-supported judiciary is essential for the effective administration of justice and the promotion of the rule of law.

He also lamented the outrageous amounts of money being allocated and literally shared by the members of the executive and legislature.

Quoting from Vanguard Newspaper in the Editorial of June 16, 2022 on the topic addressing judges welfare, he said, “the paper had written entirely I quote the legislative and executive arms which control and spent the financial resources of the country are among the best remunerated in the world. Though the official salaries appear puny, the overall conditions of service are among the most enviable among their peers globally.The ease with which some of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers were able to bring out the 100 million naira for the purchase of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential funds.” “.

and the empowerment, quote and unquote, programme of lawmakers shows that the two branches help themselves to our Commonwealth while neglecting the judiciary”.

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