Aiyedatiwa Approves Salary Increment For Judicial Officers In Ondo

By Ayodele Oni 

Coming 50 years after and in its continued efforts to enhance justice dispensation in the state, Ondo state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved 60 percent increment in salaries and allowances of judicial officers in the state.

The Head of Service, (HoS),Segun Odusanya, disclosed this at a meeting with a delegation of the Magistrate Association of Nigeria, MAN, Ondo State Chapter, in Akure.

Under the New increment, Magistrates, Presidents of Grade A Customary Courts and Legal Research Officers would benefit from the increment which he said it was long overdue.

While appreciating Governor Aiyedatiwa for the approval and his commitments to the welfare the judicial officers, as well as other workers in general, Odusanya said the approval came on the heels of government’s desire to ensure descent living and conducive working conditions for them.

The Head of Service, hinted at the meeting that the state government was making arrangements to provide more official vehicles for the officers to ease their mobility in the course of discharging their duties, describing a situation where magistrates board public vehicles as risky to justice dispensation and lives of the officers.

“This agitation has been on from successive administrations. We have been on it for some times. We thank Mr Governor for his gracious approval of the salary and allowances increase for the magistrates.

“It’s unheard of that Magistrates are riding on Okada. So, Mr Governor has just approved the review of their salaries and allowances which is the first after decades. 

“Also Mr Governor is considering giving them official cars to ease the discharge of their duties.” he said further.

Reacting on the development, MAN Chairman in the state, Magistrate Funmi Edwin thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for the approval, saying it was the first time after about 50 years.

She expressed hope that the development would further enhance their service delivery and boost the morale of the officers.

In her words, ” It has just been confirmed that the governor has signed the approval for the increment. 

“This is a good one for us because it has never happened before. We appreciate Mr Governor because he has done what no other governor has done in Ondo State for like fifty years because the old allowance has been since ages.”

She expressed hope that all other yearnings of the body, including their officials cars would also receive deserved attention of the Governor.