The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, has clarified that the proposed amendment to the state’s Magistrates Law seeking to extend the retirement age of magistrates and law officers is a Private Member’s Bill, not an Executive Bill.
Pedro made the clarification during an official press statement released on Monday, September 14, 2026, from the Ministry of Justice at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. The statement addressed public controversy, misconceptions, and debate surrounding the origin and intent of the proposed legislation currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly.
”For the avoidance of doubt, the proposed amendment is not an Executive Bill and is not sponsored by the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,” Pedro stated.
“It is a Private Member’s Bill which, having been considered to have reasonable justification in the best interest of the state, particularly in strengthening and sustaining the justice sector, is presently before the House of Assembly for legislative consideration.”
The Attorney-General explained that the legislative initiative stems partly from the 2023 constitutional amendment that raised the compulsory retirement age of High Court judges from 65 to 70 years.
Before that constitutional shift, regular vacancies on the High Court Bench offered predictable career progression for experienced Chief Magistrates and senior Law Officers.
With judges now serving longer terms, those vacancies have significantly reduced, forcing senior lower-court personnel and state counsel to retire at 60 without opportunities for elevation.
Under the proposed amendment, a magistrate or law officer may choose to retire voluntarily at 60 years, with mandatory retirement set at 65 years or 40 years in service, whichever comes earlier.
Pedro emphasised that harmonising service conditions between magistrates and state law officers is not a new concept in Lagos, pointing to a long-standing government circular policy established in 1997. He added that states such as Osun, Abia, Kogi, Benue, Imo, and Kwara have passed similar laws to align service terms for legal personnel in the public sector.
He urged the public and legal stakeholders to evaluate the bill based on policy facts rather than emotion.
”The public discourse on the Bill should not be guided by emotion or sentiment but by facts and proper understanding of its rationale, legislative origin, purpose, and policy context,” Pedro urged, adding that retaining experienced personnel is crucial for mentorship, succession planning, and preserving institutional knowledge within the state’s justice system.
