•Demands apology over alleged personal attacks on State Govt
By Ojotule Romanus
The Kogi State Pension Commission, has reacted to allegations concerning the handling of retirement benefits in the state, highlighting that ₦278.07 million has been paid to 15 retired judicial officers who are yet to receive their full gratuity entitlements.
The Commission, in a press statement issued on Saturday and signed by its Director-General, Hajia Mariam Abedo, said the payments were made from January to date in line with verified entitlements and available government resources.
The statement was a response to a publication dated October 23, 2026, attributed to Mr. Mutalubi Adebayo, SAN, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Attorney-General of Oyo State, concerning the retirement entitlements of retired judicial officers in Kogi State.
While affirming 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.
The Commission maintained that legitimate retirement benefits are obligations of government and that the administration recognises the contributions of retired judicial officers to the administration of justice and the protection of citizens’ rights. It said outstanding gratuity balances should not be interpreted as evidence that the 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 statement said.
The Commission urged Mr. Adebayo to identify any specific beneficiary or category of entitlement he believes has been wrongly handled and seek clarification from the appropriate authorities. It explained that the state government must balance its obligations to retirees with the funding of salaries, pensions, roads, schools, hospitals, security and other essential public services.
The statement also rejected descriptions allegedly used against Governor Ododo, including “puppet”, “effigy”, “pawn”, “toy” and “breastfeeding” Governor, arguing that such expressions do not establish whether any retirement entitlement has been wrongly withheld or any payment decision improperly influenced.
On the allegation that former Governor Yahaya Bello, controls the incumbent Governor and would prevent the payment of judicial officers’ entitlements, the Commission challenged Mr. 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 stressed that Governor Ododo’s administration remains open to legitimate public scrutiny but insisted that criticism should be grounded in verifiable facts and reasoned arguments.
It called on Mr. Adebayo to withdraw the alleged abusive descriptions and unsupported personal allegations against Governor Ododo and former Governor Yahaya Bello within 24 hours of the publication of its rejoinder, publish an unequivocal apology through the same channels used to circulate the original publication, and correct the categorical 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 Mr. 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 has attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
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 pursue 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.
