Supreme Court registrar earns 66.7% higher than CJN – Justice Dattijo

The recently retired Supreme Court Justice, Musa Dattijo Muhammad, has expressed his concern over the inadequate salary structure for Justices in Nigeria.

During a valedictory court session held in his honor in Abuja on Friday, Justice Muhammad revealed that the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court earns more than the Justices themselves.

He pointed out that the monthly salary of the Supreme Court registrar is N1.2 million, whereas Justices receive N751,000, resulting in a notable 37.4 percent salary disparity.

Justice Muhammad also highlighted that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, receives only N400,000 plus per month, which is 66.7 percent less compared to the N1.2 million monthly salary of the Supreme Court Registrar.

He expressed his bewilderment at the fact that the salaries of Justices have decreased despite the additional responsibilities that come with their roles.

“It may interest one to know that the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court earns more than the Justices. While she earns N1.2 million per month, justices take home N751,000 monthly. The CJN, on his part, takes home N400,000 plus. The salary of a Justice, curiously, drops rather than increases when he gets the added responsibility of being a CJN. That the unjust and embarrassing salary difference between the justices and the Chief Registrar still abides remains intriguing, to say the least,” Justice Muhammad stated.