Bill to harmonize salaries, service conditions of Law Officers, others with Magistrates in Imo scales second reading

By Christy Emeka

A Bill for a Law to repeal the Law Officers (harmonisation with Magistrates) Edict 5 of 1998 and to enact a Law to provide for the harmonization of salaries and conditions of service of Law Officers, Customary Court Chairmen and Inspectors of Courts with Magistrates in the judiciary of Imo State and for other related matters has passed through second reading.

The bill which was presented by the member representing Orlu State Constituency, and House Committee Chairman on Information and judiciary in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Barr Ikenna Ihezuo, was read the second time during the House plenary on Tuesday.

Speaking on the bill, Ihezuo pointed out that its objective is to provide better employment conditions and welfare to magistrates, Chairmen of customary courts, inspectors of court and law officers in the Imo State judiciary.

He stated that the bill when passed into law would harmonise the salaries, conditions of service of law officers, chairmen of customary courts and inspectors with that of the magistrates.

Part of the bill provides:

“The salary and employment benefits of a Law Officer, Chairman and an Inspector of Court shall be the same as that which a Magistrate in equivalent post in the judicial service shall be entitled.

“To be qualified for employment as a Magistrate, Law Officer, Chairman of the Customary Court and Inspector of Court in Imo State, such a person shall be a lawyer with not less than three(3) years post call experience.

“The grade level at point of entry for a Magistrate, Law Officer, Chairman of Customary Court and Inspector of Court shall be grade level 12.

“A Law Officer above the rank of a Director shall receive the Same allowances as a Judicial Officer serving as Chief Registrar.

“The retirement age of a Law Officer, Chairman of Customary Court, Inspector of Court and Magistrate in the Imo State Judiciary shall be 65 years of age.

“Nothing in this Law shall prevent the supersession of any other Law or Instrument enforceable in the State which provides for salaries and employment benefits which are more beneficial to Law Officers, Magistrates, Chairmen of Customary Courts and Inspectors of Courts”.

The bill was supported by the lawmakers, and was committed to the House Committee on Judiciary for further inputs.

The committee is to submit their report to the House on 21st October, 2025.