Niger State House of Assembly Passes Magistrates’ Courts Law, 2026
The Niger State House of Assembly has passed a Private Member Bill titled “A Bill for a Law to Establish Magistrates’ Courts and Provide for the Appointment of Magistrates in Niger State, and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.”
The legislation, now called the Niger State Magistrates’ Courts Law, 2026, aims to strengthen justice administration and improve the judicial system across the State.
The Bill was approved after the House Standing Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters presented and adopted its report. The report was submitted by Vice Chairman Hon. Arc. Abubakar Suleiman Gomna on behalf of Chairman Hon. Engr: Abdulrahman Bala Gambo, PhD.
During his presentation, Hon. Gomna reminded the House that in Sitting No. 16 of the 2026/2027 Legislative Session on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the Bill was referred to the Committee for further review and a report.
He explained that the Committee held a Public Hearing on Monday, July 13, 2026, to gather input from relevant stakeholders.
He noted the delay in presentation was due to the large volume of written memoranda received. The Committee Secretariat needed ample time to review, compile, and incorporate stakeholder feedback before finalizing its report.
Stakeholders at the Public Hearing included the Chief Judge of Niger State, the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Secretary of the Niger State Judicial Service Commission, the Chief Registrar of the Niger State High Court, the Chairman of the Niger State Law Reform Commission, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Minna Branch, the Chairman of the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) Niger State Branch, the Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Niger State Branch, and the Commissioner of Police for Niger State.
Hon. Gomna told the House that the Committee found the Bill to be timely, progressive, and capable of improving criminal justice administration in Niger State. He added that the proposed law provides a comprehensive legal framework for establishing, classifying, appointing, and governing Magistrates’ Courts across the State.
The Committee noted, however, that some provisions did not fully comply with the requirements of the Legislation (Administrative Procedure) Law, 1980, which defines the formatting and procedures for passing laws in Niger State.
To address these issues, the Committee recommended several amendments, including:
– Adding the year “2026” in the Long Title
– Replacing the Enactment Clause with the approved legal wording
* Removing the phrase “CHAPTER I, PART I, PRELIMINARY” between the Enactment and Citation clauses
* Updating the Citation and Commencement Clause to read: “This Law may be cited as the Niger State Magistrates’ Courts Law, 2026, and shall come into force today.”
* Clarifying the Interpretation Clause to define “Magistrate” to include all appointed Magistrates, such as the Chief Registrar, Deputy Chief Registrar, Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, and Directors serving as Magistrates
* Adding a definition for “Misdemeanor” as an offense punishable by imprisonment for at least six months but less than three years, or as otherwise specified by law
The Committee also recommended further amendments concerning pension contributions, jurisdiction and powers of Magistrates’ Courts, sentencing, fines, custodial sentences, community service, and the enforcement of consecutive or concurrent sentences to ensure proper implementation and improve clarity.
After comprehensive discussion, the House unanimously approved all Committee recommendations and passed the Bill into law.
The Speaker commended the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Committee members for their thoroughness, dedication, and professionalism in preparing a detailed report that will strengthen the State’s judicial system.
Finally, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Mall. Farouq Umar Isah, to prepare and send an official copy of the Bill to the Executive for signing into law.
