….calls for retraction, apology inside 24 hours over alleged private assaults on the State Govt
The Kogi State Pension Commission has disclosed that ₦278.07 million has been paid to 15 retired judicial officers who’re but to obtain their full gratuity entitlements, whereas difficult allegations in regards to the dealing with of retirement advantages within the state.
The Commission, in a press assertion issued on Saturday and signed by its Director-General, Hajia Mariam Ozioma Abedo, mentioned the funds have been constituted of January to date in keeping with verified entitlements and obtainable authorities assets.
The assertion was a response to a publication dated October 23, 2026, attributed to Mr. Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Attorney-General of Oyo State, in regards to the retirement entitlements of retired judicial officers in Kogi State.
While affirming the proper of residents and authorized practitioners to demand accountability and advocate the fee of reputable retirement advantages, the Commission faulted what it described as offensive language, sweeping allegations and private assaults towards Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and different public officers.
The Commission maintained that reputable retirement advantages are obligations of presidency and that the administration recognises the contributions of retired judicial officers to the administration of justice and the safety of residents’ rights. It mentioned excellent gratuity balances shouldn’t be interpreted as proof that the federal government is hostile to the judiciary or unwilling to fulfil its obligations.
“The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is a mark of professional distinction that carries commensurate responsibilities. It is no licence to insult public office holders, speculate about their motives or substitute provocative language for verifiable evidence,” the assertion mentioned.
The Commission urged Mr. Adebayo to establish any particular beneficiary or class of entitlement he believes has been wrongly dealt with and search clarification from the suitable authorities. It defined that the state authorities should steadiness its obligations to retirees with the funding of salaries, pensions, roads, faculties, hospitals, safety and different important public providers.
The assertion additionally rejected descriptions allegedly used towards Governor Ododo, together with “puppet”, “effigy”, “pawn”, “toy” and “breastfeeding” Governor, arguing that such expressions don’t set up whether or not any retirement entitlement has been wrongly withheld or any fee determination improperly influenced.
On the allegation that former Governor Yahaya Bello controls the incumbent Governor and would forestall the fee of judicial officers’ entitlements, the Commission challenged Mr. Adebayo to present credible proof.
“If Mr. Adebayo possesses credible evidence that a particular payment decision has been improperly influenced, he should identify that evidence and present it through the appropriate channels. Serious allegations demand serious evidence,” the assertion added.
The Commission harassed that Governor Ododo’s administration stays open to reputable public scrutiny however insisted that criticism ought to be grounded in verifiable details and reasoned arguments.
It referred to as on Mr. Adebayo to withdraw the alleged abusive descriptions and unsupported private allegations towards Governor Ododo and former Governor Yahaya Bello inside 24 hours of the publication of its rejoinder, publish an unequivocal apology via the identical channels used to flow into the unique publication, and proper the explicit assertion that no funds had been made to retired judicial officers.
The Commission warned that failure to comply throughout the stipulated interval would immediate it to submit formal petitions towards Mr. Adebayo to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee for consideration. It mentioned the language and private allegations within the publication raised considerations in regards to the requirements of restraint, dignity {and professional} accountability anticipated of a authorized practitioner, notably one who has attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The Commission reaffirmed its dedication to partaking with retired judicial officers and different pensioners over their verified entitlements, including that the federal government would proceed to pursue its obligations via accountable administration, correct monetary administration and constructive engagement.
“The public deserves accurate information. Retired judicial officers deserve dignity and the settlement of their legitimate entitlements. Public discourse deserves the discipline of evidence, the strength of reasoned argument and respect for the responsibilities that accompany professional distinction,” the assertion concluded.
