Kogi Counters Claims Of Unpaid Judicial Gratuities, Says N278m Paid To 15 Retirees  

The Kogi State Pension Commission mentioned it has disbursed ₦278.07 million to 15 retired judicial officers with excellent gratuity funds, disputing claims that the state authorities has didn’t pay any of their retirement advantages.

The Commission disclosed this in an announcement issued on Saturday by its Director-General, Hajia Mariam Ozioma Abedo, explaining that the funds have been made between January and October 2026, based mostly on verified entitlements and the assets obtainable to the federal government.

The assertion responded to a publication dated October 23, 2026, attributed to Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Attorney-General of Oyo State, on the retirement advantages of former judicial officers in Kogi.

While acknowledging the correct of residents and authorized practitioners to demand accountability over unpaid entitlements, the Commission criticised what it described as offensive language, broad allegations and private assaults directed at Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and different public officers.

It maintained that the federal government recognises its duty to settle reputable retirement advantages and appreciates the contributions of retired judicial officers to the administration of justice and the safety of residents’ rights.

According to the Commission, nevertheless, the existence of excellent gratuity funds doesn’t, in itself, present that the federal government is antagonistic in direction of the judiciary or unwilling to satisfy 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 requested Adebayo to specify any beneficiary or class of entitlement he believes has been mishandled and search clarification from the related authorities. It added that the state should handle its obligations to retirees alongside spending on salaries, pensions, roads, colleges, hospitals, safety and different important providers.

It additionally rejected descriptions allegedly directed at Ododo, together with “puppet”, “effigy”, “pawn”, “toy” and “breastfeeding” Governor, arguing that such expressions don’t show that retirement advantages have been improperly withheld or that fee choices have been influenced by anybody.

The Commission additional challenged Adebayo to supply proof for his allegation that Bello controls Ododo and would forestall the fee of retired judicial officers’ entitlements.

“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.

It mentioned the Ododo administration remained open to reputable scrutiny however insisted that public criticism must be based mostly on verifiable info and reasoned arguments.

The Commission additionally demanded that Adebayo withdraw the alleged abusive descriptions and unsupported private allegations in opposition to Ododo and Bello inside 24 hours of the publication of its rejoinder.

It known as on him to publish an unequivocal apology by way of the identical channels used to flow into the unique publication and proper the assertion that no funds had been made to retired judicial officers.

The Commission warned that failure to satisfy the calls for inside the stipulated interval would lead it to file formal petitions in opposition to Adebayo earlier than the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee.

According to the assertion, the language and private allegations within the publication raised questions concerning the restraint, dignity {and professional} duty anticipated of a authorized practitioner, notably one who holds the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The Commission reiterated its willingness to interact retired judicial officers and different pensioners on their verified entitlements, saying the federal government would proceed working in direction of assembly its obligations by way of accountable administration, sound 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.