22 years of service, N23,000 monthly pension: Shocking retirement reality of Lagos magistrates

A lawyer and National Convener of Citizens Support for Lower Courts, Bayo Akinlade, has raised alarm over the deplorable welfare of retired Lagos State magistrates, revealing that some receive as little as N23,000 monthly pension after decades of service handling thousands of cases involving billions of naira.

According to Sahara Reporters, Akinlade said approximately 23 magistrates had retired from the Lagos Magistracy since 2013, with the least-serving among them having spent about 22 years in service — collectively handling more than 60,000 cases.

“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, adding that some retired magistrates had received no pension at all two years after retirement.

He appealed to the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Bar Association to urgently address the welfare of retired magistrates, describing their situation as unconscionable given their years of service.