In Nigeria’s justice system, there are three titles, Magistrate, Judge, and Justice but represents different levels of power, different courts, and different types of cases.
Confusion over the proper use of the judicial titles continues to surface across Nigeria, prompting renewed calls from legal experts for better public understanding of the country’s court hierarchy. Although the three officials all dispense justice, they operate at different levels, exercise different powers, and handle different categories of cases within the judicial system.
Below are the details of their levels
1. A MAGISTRATE
A Magistrate operates at the lowest level of the court system and handles minor cases, including:
Minor criminal offences
Simple assault
Stealing and petty theft
Small civil disputes
Traffic offences
First-level criminal trials
Limitations of a Magistrate:
Cannot try murder cases
Cannot impose life imprisonment
Power is strictly limited by law
How to address a Magistrate:
Your Worship
2. A JUDGE
A Judge sits at the High Court, where serious and complex matters are heard. These include:
Murder
Rape
Armed robbery (depending on jurisdiction)
Major civil cases
Fundamental human rights cases
Election petitions (in some cases)
Appeals from Magistrate Courts
A Judge has wider constitutional powers, and their decisions carry greater legal weight.
How to address a Judge:
My Lord or Your Lordship
3. A JUSTICE
A Justice sits at the highest appellate courts, such as:
Court of Appeal
Supreme Court
Unlike Magistrates and Judges, Justices do not conduct everyday trials. Their duties focus on:
Appeals from lower courts
Constitutional interpretation
Government and state matters also national disputes
Their rulings can change the law of the entire country.
How to address a Justice:
My Lord or Your Lordship
IN SIMPLE TERMS
Magistrate → Small and minor cases
Judge → Serious criminal and major civil cases
Justice → Appeals and national-level legal matters
Different courts.
Different powers.
Different responsibilities.
Stop using these titles interchangeably.
They are not the same and the difference matters, especially in a courtroom.
