President Bola Tinubu has given his approval to a constitutional amendment bill that aims to standardize the retirement age of judges across courts in Nigeria.
The bill was presented by the outgoing 9th National Assembly and was signed into law by President Tinubu at the State House.
Previously, judges in state and federal high courts were required to retire once they reached the age of 65. Similarly, judges in the National Industrial Court and Sharia and customary courts of appeal also had a retirement age of 65. However, judges in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court could continue serving until the age of 70.
With the new bill, signed by President Tinubu, the retirement age for judges in the lower courts has been raised from 65 to 70, bringing it in line with the retirement age for judges in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. This amendment aims to bring uniformity to the retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers across different courts.
The State House statement emphasized President Tinubu's commitment to strengthening the judiciary, upholding the rule of law, and empowering judicial officers to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
The bill was passed by the Senate on May 3, just before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari's tenure. Following the concurrent passage of the bill, the National Assembly instructed its Clerk to send the Constitution Alteration Bill 20, which approves the uniform retirement age for judicial officers, to the president for assent.
The amendment is seen as a significant step in the Ninth Senate's legislative agenda to reform the judiciary and ensure the expeditious delivery of justice. Senate President Ahmad Lawan expressed satisfaction with the development, highlighting its importance as part of the 9th National Assembly's legacy.
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