Tinubu Asks Judges to Treat Kidnappers as Terrorists

President Tinubu has asked the judiciary to treat individuals involved in kidnapping as terrorists, to end the threat which they posed to the national security.

He made the call at a Ramadan dinner with members of the Federal Judiciary led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwo-Ola at the presidential villa on Tuesday.

According to the President, those resorting to kidnapping of people are cowards because they could not face the firepower of the armed forces.

He described them as cowards because they always look for soft target targets including school children in schools, and other places.

Tinubu promised to improve the welfare and working environment of the judiciary because their profession is one of most unrewarded.

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For instance, the President said judges after retirement according to the law cannot practice the vocation for which they were trained.

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, expressed gratitude to the President for forwarding 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 commended the President’s courage, determination, and compassion in taking decisive action.

It takes a man with a great heart, determination, and consideration to do what the President did. More than 300.3 percent increase has been given to the judges.

The President has done his own 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.

The dinner was attended by serving and retired judicial officers, including two former CJNs, Justices Mahmud Mohammed and Walter Onnoghen.