Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
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, held at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, September 7, 2026, brought together legal practitioners, judicial officers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to deliberate on the proposed changes.
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, a move she said 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, urging lawyers, judicial stakeholders and other experts to make constructive submissions that would assist the House in strengthening the proposed amendments.
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, noting that 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.
The proposed amendment comes amid growing concerns over the workload of magistrates and the need to retain experienced judicial officers. Lawmakers have noted that the state had invested significantly in the training and professional development of magistrates, and that improved welfare and working conditions were necessary to retain the expertise acquired by judicial officers within the system. The bill also seeks to address an unintended consequence of the 2023 constitutional amendment that raised the retirement age of High Court Judges from 65 to 70 years, which substantially reduced the number of vacancies available on the High Court Bench. Consequently, experienced Chief Magistrates and Directors of Law who would otherwise have been considered for appointment to the High Court were compelled to retire upon attaining 60 years, despite having acquired the requisite experience, competence and institutional knowledge for elevation to the Bench.
The bill has also sparked controversy within sections of the Lagos State Public Service over a provision seeking to extend the retirement age of Law Officers from 60 to 65 years and their maximum period of service from 35 to 40 years. Questions are being raised within the public service over why Law Officers should receive treatment different from other professional cadres, including doctors, engineers, teachers, accountants, architects, administrators, nurses, planners and surveyors, who are currently governed by the existing retirement framework. Critics have also questioned why a fundamental alteration to the conditions of service of Law Officers should be inserted into an amendment concerning Magistrates' Courts rather than addressed through broader public-service legislation or regulations.
As the public hearing continues, the submissions from stakeholders will form part of the considerations by the Assembly as it processes the proposed amendment before its passage. The Assembly faces the challenge of demonstrating that any change ultimately adopted is founded on a clear and defensible public policy rather than preferential treatment. For the legal community and the wider public, the debate over the Magistrates' Court Amendment Bill, 2026, represents a critical opportunity to shape the future of justice delivery in Lagos State.
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