President Muhammadu Buhari has approved and directed that measures be taken for the implementation of the enhanced salary and welfare scheme for judicial officers.

The President, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), made this known on Friday at the inauguration and handover ceremony of Nabo Graham-Douglas Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt to the Council of Legal Education.

The law school campus was built and donated by the Governor Nyesom Wike-led Rivers State Government.

A statement by Malami’s Special Assistant (Media and Public Relations), Dr. Umar Gwandu, said Buhari directed the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission and the AGF to promptly commence measures towards the realisation and implementation of enhanced salary and welfare scheme for judicial officers in the country.

The President said this and many other initiatives were targeted at significantly strengthening the capacity and independence of the judiciary, which, he said, remained a pillar of strength and stability for the nation’s democracy.

“This administration will, therefore, continue to support efforts to transform the judiciary, as part of a critical strategy in ensuring a fair, progressive and prosperous society, with the rule of law as its cornerstone,” he said.

The President also called on the judiciary to continue to uphold the ethics of their profession and operate with accountability and probity in the exercise of their judicial and administrative duties.

He also charged the Council of Legal Education to sustain the trust by optimally maintaining and running the project in furtherance of the quest to improve and sustain high standards in legal education.

“The legal profession thrives on sound learning, ethical values, and good character. Therefore, it is our abiding duty to sustain high standards for those on whose shoulders rest the future of both the Bar and the bench,” he said.

Buhari also commended Wike and congratulated the people of the Rivers State, the CLE, Nigerian Law School and the entire justice sector family for the initiative, which, he said, culminated in the building and handover of the new campus to the Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Law School.

He described as commendable the naming the newly commissioned campus after Nabo Graham-Douglas (SAN); former Attorney-General of Eastern Nigeria, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State and Attorney-General of the Federation.