Afe Babalola: Retirement Age Of Supreme Court Justices Should Be Raised To 100

Afe Babalola: Retirement Age Of Supreme Court Justices Should Be Raised To 100
Afe Babalola

Legal luminary, Afe Babalola (SAN) has called for the increment in retirement age of supreme court justices from 70 to 100.

He stated that the justices become more experienced and wiser as they get older, hence, should be allowed to remain on the bench.

The lawyer made the call on Wednesday at the virtual launch of books in honour of Bode Rhodes-Vivour, a retired supreme court justice, in a statement signed by Tunde Olofintila, director, corporate information, Afe Babalola University (ABUAD).

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“There is urgent need for reform of our judicial system. This is with particular regards to age of judges, most especially those at the Supreme Court,” he said.

“Experience has shown that a person becomes wiser and more experienced as he advances in age. Under our judicial system today, Justice Rhodes-Vivour is retiring at the age of 70 when he has not shown any sign of physical weakness and when Nigeria would have benefitted more from his wealth of wisdom, insight and experience.

“A brief look at other countries shows that appointment to the Supreme Court is a lifetime appointment. There is no age limit for a justice of the Supreme Court to retire. Often times, they stay as long as they probably can.

“In fact, many die while in office. But those who opt for retirement, the average age is 78 years. The average retirement age has grown a whopping 103 years in other climes.”