Kogi paid N278m to 15 retired judicial officers — Pension commission

Kogi State Pension Commission has disclosed that ₦278.07 million has been paid to 15 retired judicial officers with outstanding gratuity entitlements, while refuting allegations about the handling of retirement benefits in the state.

The commission said the payments were made from January to date, in line with verified entitlements and available government resources.

The Director-General of the commission, Hajia Mariam Ozioma Abedo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in response to a publication dated October 23, 2026, attributed to Mr Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN, a former Attorney-General of Oyo State, concerning the retirement entitlements of former judicial officers in Kogi.

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While acknowledging the right of citizens and legal practitioners to demand accountability and advocate the payment of legitimate retirement benefits, the commission faulted what it described as offensive language, sweeping allegations and personal attacks against Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and other public officials.

It maintained that retirement benefits remained government obligations and said the administration recognised the contributions of retired judicial officers to the administration of justice and the protection of citizens’ rights.

According to the commission, outstanding gratuity balances should not be interpreted as evidence of hostility towards the judiciary or unwillingness to fulfil the government’s 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 statement said.

The commission urged Adebayo to identify any beneficiary or category of entitlement he believed had been wrongly handled and seek clarification from the appropriate authorities.

It explained that the state government had to balance its obligations to retirees with funding for salaries, pensions, roads, schools, hospitals, security and other essential public services.

The statement also rejected descriptions allegedly used against Ododo, including “puppet”, “effigy”, “pawn”, “toy” and “breastfeeding” Governor, arguing that such expressions did not establish whether retirement benefits had been wrongly withheld or payment decisions improperly influenced.

On the allegation that Bello controlled the incumbent governor and would prevent the payment of judicial officers’ entitlements, the commission challenged Adebayo to provide credible evidence.

“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 statement added.

The commission said Ododo’s administration remained open to legitimate public scrutiny but insisted that criticism should be based on verifiable facts and reasoned arguments.

It called on Adebayo to withdraw the alleged abusive descriptions and unsupported personal allegations against Ododo and Bello within 24 hours of the publication of its rejoinder.

It also demanded an unequivocal apology through the same channels used to circulate the original publication and a correction of the assertion that no payments had been made to retired judicial officers.

The commission warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would prompt it to submit formal petitions against Adebayo to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee for consideration.

It said the language and personal allegations in the publication raised concerns about the standards of restraint, dignity and professional responsibility expected of a legal practitioner, particularly one who had attained the rank of SAN.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with retired judicial officers and other pensioners over their verified entitlements, adding that the government would continue to meet its obligations through responsible administration, proper financial management 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 statement concluded.