The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed for second reading the Magistrates’ Courts Amendment Bill 2026, seeking to raise the retirement age of magistrates from 60 to 65 years.
The bill, considered during plenary on Monday, is aimed at improving the welfare and working conditions of magistrates, retaining experienced judicial officers and strengthening the magistracy for more effective justice delivery in Lagos State.
Leading the debate, the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC, Hon. Oladipo Ajomale, said the proposed amendment would help preserve the experience and expertise of magistrates within the judicial system.
Ajomale noted that the state had invested significantly in the training and professional development of magistrates, stressing that improved welfare and working conditions were necessary to retain the expertise acquired through such investments.
He argued that allowing experienced magistrates to retire at 60 could result in the loss of valuable knowledge, particularly at a time when their experience remained crucial to the administration of justice.
According to him, magistrates handle a significant volume of cases involving ordinary citizens, adding that the retirement of a magistrate while handling an ongoing matter could cause delays and, in some instances, require proceedings to commence afresh.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Bonu Solomon called for further research into the proposed amendment and improved welfare for magistrates.
Bonu said magistrates were confronted with substantial workloads, with some reportedly handling more than 100 cases in a single day.
He stressed that better welfare and working conditions would motivate magistrates to perform their duties more efficiently and contribute to improved justice delivery across the state.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, said the retirement of magistrates should not be determined solely by age but should also take into consideration their competence and ability to continue performing their duties effectively.
Obasa noted that many people above the age of 60 remained active and productive, arguing that competent magistrates should be allowed to continue serving, while those who could no longer perform effectively should retire.
Following the debate, the Speaker referred the bill to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC for further deliberation and directed the committee to report back to the House within one week.
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