We must condemn the reprehensible acts of kidnapping and treat kidnappers across the country as terrorists.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu made the declaration on Tuesday at a Ramadan dinner.
Those with him at the dinner were members of the Federal judiciary led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
In attendance were serving and retired judicial officers, including two former CJNs, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and Justice Walter Onnoghen.
President Tinubu restated the resolve of his government to defeat banditry in the country.
He cursed those who resort to kidnapping, labeling them as cowards and incapable of confronting the might of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
”We must treat kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly. They have been degraded.
“They look for soft targets. They go to schools kidnap children and cause disaffection.
“We must treat them equally as terrorists to get rid of them, and I promise you we will get rid of them.”
President Tinubu promised to implement necessary reforms including the review of the salaries of judicial officers.
He assured of improving the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers.
”I recognize that the judiciary has one of the most unrewarded responsibilities.
“They are yet to modernize equipment and recordkeeping, and their progress towards improvement is slow.
”When you look at the career path of a judicial officer, they cannot practice the vocation for which they were trained after retirement.
”While the framers of the law may have their reasons, I perceive this differently and see this from a fair compensation angle that should benefit all.”
The Chief Justice of Nigeria commended the President for the honor of hosting judicial officers at a Ramadan dinner.
He affirmed his commitment to judicial reforms, and for improving the welfare of judicial officers in the country.
“May the Lord continue to bless you and your administration. Let your ship land and berth beautifully.
“We shall continue to pray for your administration because there are many good things in the pipeline for Nigerians,” he prayed.
Justice Ariwoola noted the significant milestone achieved in appointing a full complement of 21 justices to the Supreme Court, which was unprecedented.
Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice lauded the initiative of the President in forwarding the executive bill titled, “Judicial Office Holders, Salaries and Allowances, etc, Bill 2024” to the National Assembly to end stagnancy of salaries of judges’ salaries and emoluments since 2007.
”It takes a man with a great heart, determination, and consideration to do what the President did. More than a 300.3 percent increase has been given to the judges. The President has done his part, never mind that the bill is still with the National Assembly.
”In my short stay as the Attorney-General, I have come to observe that anything that concerns the judiciary, you are very much interested in it, and I thank you for your abiding interest in the judiciary,” the Minister of Justice said.
