BENIN CITY — The Edo State House of Assembly has commenced moves to raise the retirement age of magistrates, presidents of area customary courts and state counsels from 60 to 65 years.
The proposed change followed the consideration of a bill seeking to amend the existing state legislation governing the retirement age of the affected judicial and legal officers.
The bill was presented to the House after the Joint Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; and Rules, Business and Government House submitted its report on the proposed amendment.
Following the presentation of the report, the lawmakers resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the provisions of the bill.
If passed into law, the amendment will raise the retirement age of state counsels serving in the Ministry of Justice from 60 to 65 years. Magistrates and presidents of area customary courts would also be covered by the proposed amendment.
The proposed extension comes against the backdrop of wider discussions on the retention of experienced personnel within Nigeria’s justice system.
Supporters of longer service periods have argued that retaining experienced legal and judicial officers could help preserve institutional knowledge and professional expertise accumulated over the years.
However, the proposed extension could also have implications for succession and career opportunities for younger lawyers seeking appointments within the judiciary and other legal institutions.
The bill is still undergoing the legislative process, with its final provisions subject to the outcome of the remaining stages of consideration and approval by the House.
The proposed amendment has consequently attracted attention within Edo State’s legal sector, particularly among judicial officers, lawyers and other stakeholders.
