The Ondo State House of Assembly has held a public hearing on a bill seeking to determine the retirement age of Magistrates and Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts in the state.
The hearing, held at the Assembly Complex in Akure, brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Justice, the Law Commission, the judiciary and other relevant institutions to deliberate on the proposed legislation.
The Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges, Stephen Abitogun, who declared the hearing open, said the bill was aimed at strengthening the administration of justice by retaining experienced judicial officers and improving efficiency in the lower courts.
Abitogun noted that the proposed legislation also sought to align the retirement age and conditions of service of the affected judicial officers with contemporary best practices.
He described Magistrates and Presidents of Customary Courts as the frontline of the justice system and the first point of contact for citizens seeking redress.
The Vice Chairman of the Committee, Afe Felix, assured stakeholders that the bill would receive thorough legislative attention, while another member, Allen Oluwatoyin, commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for prioritising the welfare of judicial officers.
In his submission, Justice Femi Akinbinu, who represented the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, cautioned against extending the proposed 65-year retirement age for judicial officers to civil servants in the judiciary, warning that such a move could trigger industrial unrest.
Similarly, the Chairperson of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Ondo State Chapter, His Worship Oluwafunmi Abosede Edwin, called for improved welfare and an increase in the retirement age of Magistrates to 65 years.
The Chairman of the Law Officers Association, Ale Abayomi, also urged the government to implement the 1998 Policy Harmonisation Agreement.
Other stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association, Akure Branch, led by Mr Kekemeke Oju, supported calls for improved welfare, noting that the proposed legislation would help retain valuable expertise and prevent the premature loss of experienced judicial officers from the system.
The stakeholders also submitted memoranda and urged the committee to address grey areas in the bill before its passage.
Correspondent Otobot Jim reports that the committee is expected to consider the submissions made by stakeholders as part of the legislative process.
