A lawyer and National Convener of Citizens Support for Lower Courts, Bayo Akinlade, has raised concerns over the plight of retired Lagos State magistrates, with some allegedly receiving as little as N23,000 monthly pension after more than two decades of service.
Akinlade, in a statement, said about 23 magistrates had retired from the Lagos State Magistracy since 2013, while one or two more are expected to retire before the end of 2026.
He said the least-serving of the retired magistrates had spent about 22 years in the state’s judiciary, raising questions about their welfare after years of handling criminal and civil cases across Lagos.
According to him, assuming that a magistrate handled an average of 300 cases annually, each of the retired judicial officers would have presided over thousands of cases during their careers.
Collectively, he said, the magistrates could have handled more than 60,000 cases involving billions of naira, including matters that resulted in prison sentences and fines for thousands of defendants.
But despite their years of service, Akinlade said some of the retired magistrates now struggle to meet basic needs, including healthcare and accommodation.
“With a population of over 18 million citizens, there are currently less than 130 sitting Magistrates,” he said.
“These RMs served Lagos State and its 18 million-plus citizens but they struggled to make ends meet, they struggled to raise their kids and give them adequate shelter.
“Today these RMs are struggling with health issues, some still have infant children and some still struggle to pay house rent.
“Some are now dependents.”
Akinlade said the magistrates retired at Grade Level 16 and 17 under the civil service grading structure but allegedly did not enjoy some of the retirement benefits and privileges available to senior officials in other arms of government.
He particularly criticised the absence of adequate welfare and health insurance for serving magistrates, saying the situation becomes more difficult when they leave service.
“But in the Judiciary, our Magistrates don’t even have health insurance,” he said.
On pensions, Akinlade said some retired magistrates under the Contributory Pension Scheme receive monthly payments as low as N23,000, depending on their individual pension arrangements.
“What is their pension? Well depending on the contributory pension plan they had, some are paid as low as N23k per month. Imagine that!” he said.
He also alleged that some retired magistrates had waited for two years after retirement without receiving any pension.
The concerns come as the Lagos State Government reviews its Magistrates Courts Law, prompting Akinlade to call for provisions that would specifically address the welfare of retired magistrates.
“My appeal is now to the Lagos State Government. In light of the ongoing review of the Law, can we not do something to also alleviate the suffering of these RMs?” he asked.
“Can these lawyers not be treated with compassion and given support in their old age? “Can the leadership of the NBA find its way to speaking up for RMs?”
Akinlade said retired magistrates had become particularly vulnerable because many still had family responsibilities after leaving active service.
He noted that nearly half of the retired magistrates were women and said male retirees also faced financial pressure because of expectations that they should continue providing for their families.
“We cannot abandon them now. We need to strengthen our legal framework to protect them and those who will eventually join their ranks,” he said.
“They served Lagos State, it’s time Lagos State acknowledge that service and protect them in their most vulnerable moments.”
