The Senate yesterday directed Clerk of the National Assembly to transmit Constitution Alteration Bill No. 20, which provides for uniform retirement age for judicial officers in the country, to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent in line with provisions of the Acts Authentication Act.
The senate resolution followed its consideration of a motion, titled: “Passage of Constitution (Fifth) Alteration Bill No. 20 (Uniform Retirement Age for Judicial Officers), 2023” sponsored by Chairman of the Senate committee on Constitution Review, Ovie Omo-Agege.
The motion reads: “Recall that April 4, 2023, the Clerk to the National Assembly was directed to transmit Constitution Alteration Bill No. 47 (Establishment of State Security Council), after it met the requirements of Section 9(2) of the Constitution, to Mr. President for his assent. Recall also that Sokoto State House of Assembly was among the State Houses of Assembly that were yet to forward their resolution, others are Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Plateau, Sokoto and Taraba State Houses of Assembly.
“Aware that Sokoto State House of Assembly has forwarded its resolution, and convinced that with its approval, the Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 20 (Uniform Retirement Age for Judicial Officers), has met the provisions of Section 9(2) of the Constitution, for passage.”
Deputy Chief Whip Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, in his contribution, said: “This is one of the key elements of the Ninth Senate Legislative Agenda to reform the Judiciary. Having a uniform retirement age for the judiciary will remove the backlog of cases and ensure speedy dispensation of justice.”
Senate President Ahmad Lawan said: “This is a very important amendment to the Constitution, and we are happy it is going to be part of our legacy.”
