President Bola Tinubu says individuals involved in kidnapping must be treated as terrorists.
Tinubu, who condemned the “reprehensible acts” committed by kidnappers across the country, spoke on Tuesday at a Ramadan dinner with members of the federal judiciary. The members were led by Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Olukayode Ariwoola.
Tinubu, in a statement read by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, said those who kidnap children are cowards incapable of confronting the Nigerian armed forces.
He said:
”We must treat kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly. They have been degraded. They look for soft targets.”
“They go to schools and 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.”
During the review of judicial officer salaries, the president promised that his administration would continue to implement necessary reforms to improve the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers.
He said:
” 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.”
“We will continue to support one another and bring Nigeria to that glorious dawn.”
Tinubu thanked the judiciary for its dedicated service to the nation and for maintaining the judicial branch’s credibility.
Speaking at the Dinner, Ariwoola praised the president for hosting judicial officers at a Ramadan dinner.
He also praised Tinubu for his commitment to reforms and improving the welfare of the country’s judicial officers.
The CJN prayed:
“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.”
Ariwoola praised the administration for reaching a historic milestone by appointing a full complement of 21 justices to the Supreme Court. He described it as unprecedented.
Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, thanked the president for sending the executive bill titled “Judicial Office Holders Salaries and allowances, Etc. Bill 2024” to the National Assembly.
Highlighting the stagnant state of judges’ salaries and emoluments since 2007, Fagbemi praised the president for his courage, determination, and compassion in taking decisive action.
Fagbemi said:
”It takes a man with a great heart, determination, and consideration to do what the President did. More than a 300.3 per cent 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 dinner was attended by serving and retired judicial officers. This included Mahmud Mohammed and Walter Onnoghen, both former Chief Justices of Nigeria.
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