The Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced a public hearing on the Magistrates’ Court Amendment Bill 2026, which seeks to raise the mandatory retirement age of magistrates from 60 to 65 years or 35 years in service, whichever comes first.
The bill proposes amendments to the Magistrates’ Courts Law of Lagos State, 2015, with the aim of strengthening the administration of justice and retaining experienced judicial officers.
Speaking at the hearing on Monday, Speaker of the Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, represented by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, said the proposed changes would enable the judiciary to retain experienced magistrates and benefit from their expertise.
The bill also seeks to increase the financial jurisdiction of magistrates from N10 million to N25 million. Obasa said the move would reduce the workload on the High Courts and facilitate faster resolution of cases.
Representing Lagos Mainland I Constituency I, Owolabi Ibrahim Ajani said the amendments would strengthen the state’s judicial system and improve access to justice.
He said extending the retirement age would help preserve institutional knowledge while allowing the judiciary to benefit from the experience of its officers.
Chairman of the Lagos State Bar Association, Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade, welcomed the proposed increase but urged the Assembly to make continued service subject to the magistrates’ good health and periodic medical assessments.
She also called for safeguards around any proposed increase in magistrates’ jurisdiction, as well as improved welfare, funding and technology-driven dispute resolution mechanisms.
Stakeholders’ submissions at the public hearing will be considered by the Assembly as it processes the bill ahead of its passage.