Retired Lagos Magistrates Struggle With N23,000 Monthly Pension After Decades Of Service, Lawyer Says

A lawyer and National Convener of Citizens Support for Lower Courts, Bayo Akinlade, has raised concerns over the welfare of retired magistrates in Lagos State, saying some receive as little as N23,000 monthly pension after decades of service.

Akinlade, in a statement, said about 23 magistrates had retired from the Lagos State Magistracy since 2013, with another one or two expected to retire before the end of the year.

He said the least-serving among the retired magistrates had spent about 22 years in the Lagos State Magistracy.

According to him, assuming an average workload of 300 cases annually, each magistrate would have handled thousands of cases during their careers, collectively dealing with more than 60,000 cases involving billions of naira.

He said the magistrates had also presided over cases that resulted in prison sentences and fines for thousands of accused persons.

Akinlade questioned what happens to the legal practitioners after spending their “best physical and intellectual years” serving the state and enforcing the law.

“With a population of over 18 million citizens, there are currently less than 130 sitting Magistrates,” he said.

“These RMs (retired magistrates) 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.

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.”

The lawyer said the retired magistrates left service at Grade Level 16 and 17 under the civil service grading structure.

He contrasted their situation with that of some officials who retired from the executive arm of government, saying such officials could rise to positions such as permanent secretary or top director and enjoy various privileges.

But in the Judiciary, our Magistrates don’t even have health insurance,” he said.Akinlade also raised concerns about the pension payments received by retired magistrates under the contributory pension scheme.

“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 further alleged that some retired magistrates had not received any pension two years after retirement.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing review of the Magistrates Courts Law in Lagos State, Akinlade appealed to the state government to consider measures that would improve the welfare of retired magistrates.

He further alleged that some retired magistrates had not received any pension two years after retirement.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing review of the Magistrates Courts Law in Lagos State, Akinlade appealed to the state government to consider measures that would improve the welfare of retired magistrates.

He further alleged that some retired magistrates had not received any pension two years after retirement.

“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 vulnerable, noting that nearly half of them were women who, according to him, had limited support while still having family responsibilities. He said male retired magistrates also faced significant pressure because of societal expectations placed on them as providers.

“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.

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