President Bola Tinubu has condemned the reprehensible acts perpetrated by kidnappers across the country, declaring that individuals involved in such despicable crime must be treated as terrorists.
The President made the declaration at a Ramadan dinner with members of the Federal judiciary, including two former CJNs, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and Justice Walter Onnoghen, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Reiterating the government’s resolve to defeat banditry, the President said those who had resorted to kidnapping children were cowards, incapable of confronting the might of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
On the review of salaries of judicial officers, the President pledged that his administration would continue to implement necessary reforms to improve their welfare and working conditions.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the judiciary for their dedicated service to the nation, acknowledging their role in upholding the respectability of the judicial arm of government.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria had commended the President for the honour of hosting judicial officers to a Ramadan dinner, his commitment to judicial reforms, and for improving the welfare of judicial officers in the country.
Justice Ariwoola commended the administration for achieving a significant milestone by appointing a full complement of 21 justices to the Supreme Court, a feat he described as unprecedented.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, had expressed gratitude to the President for forwarding the executive bill titled, “Judicial Office Holders, Salaries and Allowances, etc, Bill 2024” to the National Assembly.
Highlighting the stagnant state of judges’ salaries and emoluments since 2007, Fagbemi commended the President’s courage, determination, and compassion in taking decisive action.
Bello Wakili
