The Kogi State Pension Commission says it has paid ₦278.07 million to 15 retired judicial officers who are yet to receive their full gratuity entitlements, while demanding a retraction and public apology from Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, over alleged personal attacks on government officials....
The Kogi State Pension Commission says it has paid ₦278.07 million to 15 retired judicial officers who are yet to receive their full gratuity entitlements, while demanding a retraction and public apology from Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, over alleged personal attacks on government officials.
The commission gave Adebayo 24 hours to withdraw what it described as abusive remarks and unsupported allegations against Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the commission’s Director-General, Hajia Mariam Ozioma Abedo, said the payments were made between January and October 2026, based on verified entitlements and available government resources.
The statement responded to a publication dated October 23, 2026, attributed to Adebayo concerning the handling of retirement benefits owed to former judicial officers in Kogi State.
While acknowledging the right of citizens and legal practitioners to demand accountability, the commission faulted what it described as offensive language, sweeping allegations and personal attacks against the two governors and other public officials.
It maintained that outstanding gratuity payments should not be interpreted as evidence that the state government is hostile to the judiciary or unwilling to meet 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 statement said.
The commission urged Adebayo to identify specific beneficiaries or categories of entitlements he believes have been mishandled and seek clarification from the appropriate authorities.
It explained that the government had to balance its obligations to retirees with the funding of salaries, pensions, roads, schools, hospitals, security and other essential public services.
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The commission also rejected descriptions allegedly used against Ododo, including “puppet”, “effigy”, “pawn” and “toy”, arguing that such expressions did not establish whether any retirement benefits had been wrongly withheld or payment decisions improperly influenced.
On allegations that Bello controlled Ododo and could 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 insisted that Ododo’s administration remained open to legitimate public scrutiny but maintained that criticism should be based on verifiable facts and reasoned arguments.
It asked Adebayo to retract the alleged abusive descriptions and unsupported personal allegations against Ododo and Bello, publish an unequivocal apology through the same channels used to circulate the original publication, and correct the categorical claim that no payments had been made to retired judicial officers.
The commission warned that failure to comply within 24 hours would prompt it to submit formal petitions against Adebayo to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee.
According to the commission, the publication raised concerns about the standards of restraint, dignity and professional responsibility expected of a legal practitioner, particularly one who holds the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
It, however, reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with retired judicial officers and other pensioners over their verified entitlements, adding that the government would continue to address its obligations through responsible administration, sound 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.