A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Bayo Akinlade, has urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to review the Magistrates’ Courts Law, Cap M1, Laws of Lagos State 2015, to improve the status, remuneration and working conditions of magistrates….
A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Bayo Akinlade, has urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to review the Magistrates’ Courts Law, Cap M1, Laws of Lagos State 2015, to improve the status, remuneration and working conditions of magistrates.
Akinlade, who is also the convener of Fight Against Corruption in the Judiciary and Citizens Support for Lower Courts in Nigeria, made the recommendations in a memorandum dated September 2, 2026.
His call comes as the Lagos State House of Assembly considers amendments to the Magistrates’ Courts Law, with stakeholders already debating changes to the retirement age and jurisdiction of magistrates.
Akinlade argued that several provisions of the existing law had become inadequate because of inflation, population growth and delays in the administration of justice.
He said Lagos magistrates should be recognised as judicial officers rather than being treated as civil servants, noting that some magistrates handle more than 300 cases, including civil matters and criminal cases carrying lengthy prison terms.
“This lack of recognition, coupled with the remuneration (last considered in 2009 – over 16 years and counting), has led to a significant loss of morale and the departure of brilliant legal minds from the State’s service,” he said.
The lawyer proposed that magistrates be redesignated as “District Judges”, arguing that the title would better reflect their judicial responsibilities and align Lagos with the Federal Capital Territory.
He also recommended increasing the monthly salary of magistrates to ₦3.5 million, citing the recent increase in judicial officers’ remuneration at the federal level.
Akinlade further proposed raising the monthly court running grant for magistrates to ₦350,000 to cover operational expenses.
On welfare, he called for official vehicles for magistrates upon appointment, with replacement every four years, as well as boarding options similar to those available to High Court judges in Lagos.
He also recommended specialised health insurance and improved retirement benefits, including lifelong payment of their last basic salary.
Another major proposal concerns the civil jurisdiction of Magistrates’ Courts.
Akinlade said the existing ₦10 million limit under Section 8(1) of the law was no longer realistic given current economic conditions, particularly the value of rent, debts and contractual disputes in Lagos.
He proposed increasing the limit to ₦50 million, arguing that the move would enable magistrates to handle more cases and reduce the number of disputes unnecessarily transferred to the High Court.
The proposed increase is higher than the ₦25 million civil jurisdiction currently contained in the amendment bill before the Lagos Assembly.
Akinlade said the reforms would help decongest the High Court, speed up justice delivery and bring the Magistrates’ Courts Law in line with the realities of Lagos State.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has already commenced consideration of amendments to the law, with stakeholders submitting memoranda on proposed changes.
