Justice Tanko to receive at least $6m as severance pay as well as a mansion in any city of his choice

FORMER chief judge of Nigeria Justice Mohammed Tanko will receive about N2.5bn ($6.01m) as a severance package from the federal government following his recent resignation despite there being corruption question marks surrounding his tenure.

On Monday, Justice Tanko tendered his resignation citing ill-health but it has now emerged that a week ago, 14 Supreme Court judges in a joint petition, levelled grave allegations of mal-administration and financial impropriety against him. Following his resignation, President Muhammadu Buhari  swore-in the next most senior judge, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as the acting chief justice of Nigeria.

In an unprecedented development in Nigeria’s judicial history, the Supreme Court judges had in a leaked letter, accused Justice Tanko of abandoning his responsibilities and diverting funds meant for the running of the judiciary. They complained about their accommodation, vehicles, electricity tariff, supply of diesel, internet services to justices’ residences, training for justices and epileptic electricity supply to the court.

There have been calls from the Nigerian Bar Association for Justice Tanko to be arrested and prosecuted over the allegations. Despite all these calls, Justice Tanko is entitled to gratuity that is 300% of  his N3.36m ($8.05m) annual basic salary and as part of the package put together by the National Judicial Council (NJC), a mansion will be built for him in Abuja or any city of his choosing with a lump sum for furnishing.

Back in 2019, the NJC had recommended the payment of N2.5bn for Justice Tanko's predecessor, Walter Onnoghen, while a former chief justice Alfa Belgore, was also reportedly paid about N2.8b after he retired from service. Just like state governors, a retired chief justice is entitled to at least four domestic staff and sundry allowances for personal upkeep.

This includes allowances for accommodation, utilities, entertainment, medical services, security, furniture and vehicles. According to one senior lawyer, Justice Tanko being the head of the judiciary, would be well paid so that he would not have to work again for life.

He added: “The severance package is as humongous as the one paid to former senate president. He would also be a member of the Council of State.”

One NJC source added: “Honestly, his gratuity and pension will be intact, what he’s earning will continue. They will give him his official cars, he’s entitled to houses anywhere in the country."

Meanwhile,  the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters received a fresh order to probe Justice Tanko over the allegations of corruption levelled against him by 14 Supreme Court judges. Senate president, Senator Ahmad Lawan, mandated the committee led by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele to probe the allegations against the former chief justice and the crisis presently rocking the judiciary.