Supreme Court nominee Justice Senyo Dzamefe has expressed his opposition to proposals to increase the retirement age for Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges from 70 to 75.

Justice Dzamefe believes the current retirement age should be maintained to ensure judges retire while still in good health, enabling them to continue contributing to the justice system in other meaningful ways.

During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, 2025, Justice Dzamefe stated firmly that he does not support raising the retirement age.

“I will not agree to raising the retirement ages for Supreme Court or Appeal Court judges to 75. No,” he said.

He added, “The retirement age right now is 70. Superior court judges retire while receiving their salaries.”

Justice Dzamefe explained that while age and experience have traditionally played a key role in the judiciary, advancements in technology have shifted that dynamic.

“Previously, one needed to be advanced in age to gain the experience and exposure necessary to deliver respected judgments. A solid judgment is a result of both personal experience and legal knowledge,” he noted.

However, he emphasised that access to information through modern technology has made such experience available at earlier stages in a legal career.

“But of late, technology has made it such that what you needed 60 or 70 years to know, technology can make available to you very early,” he explained.

Justice Dzamefe reiterated his personal position, “Personally, my opinion is to keep the retirement age at 70. That is my stance, not 75.”

He further expressed that early retirement allows judges to remain healthy and serve the justice system in other capacities.

“By maintaining the current retirement age, we can benefit from the experience and expertise of retired judges in alternative roles. I want judges to retire in good health so they can contribute as assessors or help filter out cases in other ways,” he said.

In conclusion, he reaffirmed, “I believe we should maintain the retirement age at 70.”



NAD/MA

Meanwhile, watch as victims of the June 3 disaster decry 10 years of neglect by the state: