Ogun CJ Urges Magistrates to Prioritise Self-Development
The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has urged magistrates across Nigeria to invest in continuous self-development, strengthen their legal research and judgment-writing skills, and keep abreast of new laws and decisions of superior courts. Speaking on Tuesday at the National Convention of the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria in Abeokuta, Dipeolu cautioned magistrates against viewing their current positions merely as stepping stones to the High Court Bench, stressing that the Magistracy carries significant responsibilities in its own right. The convention, themed “Strengthening the Magistracy for Effective Justice Delivery through Capacity Building and Innovation,” is the association’s first national gathering in 10 years and is expected to elect a new National Executive Committee. Dipeolu also urged judicial officers to embrace e-filing, digital case management and virtual proceedings where permitted, while ensuring that technology does not undermine fair hearing or judicial independence.
Delivering the keynote address, Sola Ojutalayo highlighted challenges facing magistrates, including inadequate funding and welfare, heavy caseloads, delayed proceedings, unclear career progression and poor records management. He recommended reforms involving digitalisation, alternative dispute resolution and specialised courts to improve justice delivery. Justice Adeola Adelaja of the Ogun State High Court added that progress depended on judicial competence, integrity, welfare and independence, while Chief Registrar Luqman Oke urged magistrates to improve case management and use available technology to reduce delays. Citing figures of 80,812 inmates in Nigerian correctional facilities, including 51,955 awaiting trial, Oke called for better performance monitoring, transparent career progression and stronger cooperation across the justice sector. Earlier, the Chairman of the association’s National Caretaker Committee, Onome Nwankwo, said the committee was established in January 2026 to reactivate the association’s national leadership processes and urged delegates to conduct peaceful and credible elections.
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