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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Chief Registrar of Ogun State High Court, Mr. Luqman Oke, has raised alarm that 51,955 inmates representing 64 percent of the 80,812 inmates in Nigeria Correctional Service facilities are awaiting trial, charging Magistrates to adopt exceptional case management to tackle delay and congestion.
Oke stated this at the National Convention of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN) tagged ‘Gateway Convention 2026’, held at the Ceremonial Court, Judiciary Complex, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Speaking on the theme “Strengthening the Magistracy for Effective Justice Delivery through Capacity Building and Innovation,” the Chief Registrar said the future of the Magistracy must be measured by value created within the system, not just opportunities given.
He proposed six practical steps for individual Magistrates including maintaining case-management records, embracing available technology such as WhatsApp for notices and e-calendars, becoming students of law, making courtrooms places of dignity, measuring performance and building reputation on integrity rather than lobbying.
Oke also proposed five collective initiatives for the association: establishment of a Magistracy Reform and Data Unit to publish an annual State of the Nigerian Magistracy Report, a practical Innovation Network to share best practices, a structured reform agenda with transparent criteria for career progression, stronger justice-sector coordination, and a common professional voice that is evidence-based and respectful.
“It is understandable that many Magistrates aspire to the High Court Bench. However, an uncertain promotion process can become a source of constant anxiety if our entire sense of professional worth depends on it. Prepare diligently for advancement, but continue to build a meaningful career in the Magistracy,” Oke stated.
“The objective is not to abandon ambition. It is to ensure that ambition does not make us vulnerable to manipulation or rob us of satisfaction in the work we presently do. Finally, we must recognise that professional resilience is not the same as silent endurance. We should not romanticise poor working conditions,” he added.
Earlier, the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, had cautioned Magistrates against treating their offices as waiting rooms for elevation to the High Court Bench, declaring that the Magistracy is an office of considerable responsibility in its own right.
Justice Dipeolu, who noted that Ogun has maintained its annual Magistrates’ Conference without interruption since 1976, holding 45 editions, charged Magistrates to invest in self-development, read judgments of superior courts, improve legal research and judgment-writing and embrace e-filing, digital case management and virtual proceedings where permitted.
Delivering his keynote paper titled ‘The Future of the Nigerian Magistracy in an Evolving Justice Sector,’ Sola Ojutalayo, SAN, described the Magistrate as “the Gateway of the Justice Process” who is usually the first justice-dispensing officer to review what police and prosecution have done.
Ojutalayo listed challenges confronting Magistrates to include independence and funding, poor welfare, unconducive working environment, unclear path to higher bench, caseload and delay, records management, jurisdictional overlap and public trust, recommending reforms in criminal procedure, digitalization, ADR and specialized courts.
Discussing the paper, Justice Adeola Adelaja of Ogun State High Court said the future depends not only on technology but on competence, integrity, welfare and independence of officers, stressing that reforms must be pursued without compromising judicial independence or fair hearing.
In her welcome address, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of MAN, Mrs. Onome Nwankwo, said the Committee was constituted on 27th January, 2026 after dissolution of the former executive and convened a NEC meeting in Abuja on 25th April, 2026. She described the Abeokuta gathering as the first national convention in 10 years since 2016 in Rivers State, expected to elect a new National Executive to restore democratic continuity.
