LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced legislative processes to raise the statutory retirement age for magistrates in the state from 60 to 65 years.
The proposal is contained in the Magistrate Courts Amendment Bill 2026, which passed its second reading on Monday, August 31, 2026, during plenary at the Assembly Complex in Alausa, Ikeja.
Core Objectives of the Amendment Bill
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Retaining Judicial Expertise: Lawmakers noted that the state makes substantial financial investments in training magistrates. Raising the retirement age ensures that acquired judicial experience remains within the state’s justice system.
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Preventing Trial Delays: Under current rules, the retirement of a magistrate in the middle of a trial can delay proceedings or require cases involving ordinary citizens to start afresh (de novo).
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Addressing Heavy Caseloads: Lawmakers raised concerns over severe workloads, noting that individual magistrates frequently manage heavy daily dockets across lower courts in Lagos State.
