Ogun CJ decries poor treatment of judiciary workers
Ogun CJ decries poor treatment of judiciary workers
The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, yesterday expressed concern over the long-standing issue of poor remuneration and unfair treatment of judicial officers in Nigeria, noting that it continues to undermine the nation’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.
Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, Chief Judge of Ogun State, also pointed out that inadequate funding of the judiciary, poor infrastructure, and outdated technology continue to hinder the effective administration of justice in Nigeria. She further raised concerns about the mental health of judges, citing studies that reveal high levels of distress, burnout, obesity, hypertension, and other mental health challenges resulting from heavy workloads and stress.
She called on the government to prioritise regular salary reviews and improved working conditions to safeguard judges’ well-being, stressing that a healthy, well-supported judiciary is vital for efficient justice delivery and the protection of the rule of law.
Justice Dipeolu also criticised the excessive funds allocated to, and openly shared by, members of the executive and legislature. Quoting a Vanguard editorial of June 16, 2022, on judges’ welfare, she recalled: “The legislative and executive arms, which control and spend the nation’s financial resources, are among the best remunerated in the world. While their official salaries may seem modest, their overall conditions of service are some of the most enviable globally. The ease with which some of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers raised ₦100 million to purchase APC presidential nomination forms, and the so-called ‘empowerment programmes’ of lawmakers, show how these two branches help themselves to the nation’s wealth while neglecting the judiciary.”
