Lagos Assembly holds public hearing on bill to raise magistrates’ retirement age

The Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced a public hearing on the proposed amendment of the state’s Magistrates’ Courts Law, 2015, with stakeholders examining provisions aimed at improving the administration of justice.

The Magistrates’ Court Amendment Bill, 2026, among other provisions, proposes an increase in the mandatory retirement age for magistrates from 60 to 65 years or 35 years of service, whichever comes first.

The public hearing was held at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday.

Speaking on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, the Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, said the proposed amendment would allow the judiciary to retain experienced magistrates and benefit from their knowledge and expertise.

She said the bill also proposes an increase in the financial jurisdiction of magistrates from N10 million to N25 million.

According to her, expanding the jurisdiction would help reduce the burden on the High Courts and contribute to the faster determination of cases.

Obasa, represented by the Deputy Speaker, said the public hearing was part of efforts to ensure openness and broad participation in the legislative process.

He urged lawyers, judicial stakeholders and other experts to make constructive submissions that would assist the House in strengthening the proposed amendments.

Also speaking, Hon. Owolabi Ibrahim Ajani, representing Lagos Mainland I Constituency, said the proposed legislation was designed to reinforce the state’s justice system and improve access to justice.

Ajani said extending the retirement age of magistrates to 65 years or 35 years in service, whichever comes first, would help preserve institutional experience and knowledge within the judiciary while providing room for career progression.

He also defended the proposed increase in the civil jurisdiction of magistrates from N10 million to N25 million, saying it was necessary to reflect present economic realities and reduce the pressure on higher courts.

He urged members of the legal profession, judicial officers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to make relevant contributions to the bill.

According to Ajani, the submissions would assist the appropriate committee of the Assembly in its deliberations and recommendations before the bill is considered for passage.

The Chairman of the Lagos State Bar Association, Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade, welcomed the proposed increase in the retirement age, noting that retaining experienced magistrates would help the judiciary benefit from their accumulated knowledge and expertise.

However, Akingbade urged the Assembly to make any extension of a magistrate’s service dependent on good health and regular medical assessments.

She also called for adequate safeguards around the proposed authority of the Chief Judge to increase the jurisdiction of magistrates, stressing the need for clear checks and balances to prevent possible abuse of the power.

Akingbade further urged lawmakers to include provisions addressing the welfare and working conditions of magistrates, citing heavy workloads, inadequate remuneration and administrative difficulties.

She called for increased funding for magistrates’ courts and the introduction of technology-driven civil adjudication and online dispute resolution mechanisms.

According to her, such measures would be important to ensure that expanding the jurisdiction of magistrates does not inadvertently lead to additional delays in the justice system.