By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
(Reporting from Abuja)
It was a piece of cheering information for judges and staff of the Federal High Court of Nigeria on Thursday, December 15 as the Chief Judge, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho announced that various improvements to the welfare of Judges and Staff of the court will be introduced in 2023.
In line with this, the welfare allowance of Judges will be increased, as well as their air ticket allowance.
Similarly, there will be an introduction of a special allowance for officers on Grade Levels 15 and above while arrangements have also been put in place to cushion the effect of inflation for officers on Grade Levels 14 and below.
The Chief Judge broke the news in his speech at 2022 End-of-Year, Retirement and Merit award ceremonies held at the Federal High Court headquarters, in Abuja.
Speaking on capacity building of the Staff, he said he has instructed that the training of all cadres of staff be commenced from the first quarter of next year, adding that it is to make up for the previous incapacity of the court to train all the members of staff due to the lean budget of the court this year.
READ ALSO
Reform helps EFCC to secure 3,615 convictions
While recalling the information he gave last year about the administrative department of the court which now has a seasoned Administrative Officer as head, he gave an update that the department has drafted and submitted a functional Organogram to his office for consideration to be adopted as the official Organogram of the court.
“The deployment of this management chart is for accountability and to ease the administration and running of the court at all levels. Let me state firmly that upon the launch of the Organogram, it must strictly be complied with and any defiance will be considered a serious act of misconduct,” he warned.
CHIEF JUDGE’S MERIT AWARD 2022
From the nominations made to the screening committee, three members of staff, namely Abiodun Jordan Adeyemi, Mrs Ajibade Grace and Oji Oliver won the Chief Judge’s Merit Award 2022 as recommended by the committee in accordance with the laid down criteria.
While presenting the award to the winners, the Chief Judge congratulated them and charged other members of staff to emulate them, and aspire to be subsequent winners.
On the 25 Retirees, who were presented with Certificate of Meritorious service to the court and the Nation, the Chief Judge said:”On behalf of all the Judges, entire staff of this court and my humble self, I rejoice with all our Retirees, who have served this court and the Nation meritoriously. We wish you a happier life in retirement”.
