President Bola Tinubu has signed on Thursday signed a bill requiring judicial officers to retire at the same age into law.
The president promised to improve the judiciary and empower judicial personnel in a statement issued by Abiodun Oladunjoye, the state house director of communication.
The bill, titled “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (fifth altercation) (No.37) bill, 2023,” was President Tibunu’s first after assuming the oath of office on May 29.
The measure raises the retirement age for Supreme Court justices and others from 65 to 70 years.
Justices of the appeals and supreme courts are already required to retire at the age of 70.
The Act also ensured that the pension entitlements of judicial officers of “superior courts of record” stated in section 6(5) of the 1999 constitution (as modified) were consistent.
The federation’s immediate past attorney-general, Abubakar Malami, encouraged Buhari to reject the bill.
In a document dated May 23, 2023 and addressed to the president’s chief of staff, Malami stated that the measure appeared to be “far-reaching, unduly broad, and ambiguous,” adding that it made no “justification” for extending the retirement age and perks for judges.
According to the former AGF, if the law is passed, it will fuel further calls to raise the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal justices.
