The Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has approved a significant salary increment for the 459 customary court judges serving in 153 customary courts across the state. The new salary structure, which reflects an upward review, is set to take effect from January 2025.
Dr. Reuben Onyishi, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, disclosed this development in a statement on Monday in Enugu. He noted that the salary adjustment aligns with the N80,000 minimum wage currently implemented in the state, surpassing the national minimum wage of N70,000.
Onyishi explained that the review was initiated due to the rising cost of living and followed a memo dated November 25, 2024, from the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters, Mr. Osinachi Nnajieze. Governor Mbah, in response, approved the adjustment as part of his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of judicial officers.
Under the new structure, the salaries of court chairpersons have been increased from N42,989.76 to N92,989.76, while the two other members of each court will now earn N89,736.18, up from N39,736.18. The increment applies across all customary courts in the state.
“The review is a testament to Governor Mbah’s dedication to ensuring fair compensation for public servants in the judiciary,” Onyishi said. “It is also part of his broader efforts to cushion the effects of economic challenges and enhance the efficiency of the customary court system.”
