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Kogi State’s retired judicial officers have openly criticized the state government for neglecting its constitutional duties concerning their post-retirement entitlements.
Ex-judges from Kogi State have expressed profound dissatisfaction over the extended postponement and outright refusal by state officials to fulfill their legally guaranteed retirement benefits, despite having stepped down from the bench several years prior.
These former judicial officers, who retired between 2021 and 2023 after many years of committed service to the judiciary and public administration, reveal that the failure to receive their pensions, gratuities, and allowances-rights enshrined in the constitution-has caused them considerable financial distress and emotional hardship.
In a comprehensive press release issued on Thursday, the retirees accused the Kogi State Government of willfully ignoring constitutional mandates and statutory provisions that safeguard the welfare of retired judicial personnel.
Constitutional Rights and Judicial Welfare at Stake
They stressed that these benefits are not optional privileges but essential rights intended to preserve the dignity, independence, and well-being of judges after their retirement.
All necessary documentation and verification procedures related to their entitlements have been duly completed. However, multiple formal appeals and petitions directed to various government offices, including the Governor’s office, have been met with either silence or inaction.
The Irony of Neglecting Those Who Upheld Justice
This disregard is especially disheartening considering these former judges once championed justice and constitutional order, yet now find themselves deprived of the protections guaranteed by the very laws they enforced.
“It is a cruel paradox,” one retired judge commented. “Those who devoted their lives to upholding the rule of law are now denied the legal protections that should secure their retirement.”
Outstanding Benefits and Their Impact
The unpaid dues include gratuities, medical and security allowances, and statutory vehicle provisions, all explicitly outlined in regulations governing the welfare of retired judicial officers.
The retirees condemned the government’s persistent neglect as not only unjust and disrespectful but also detrimental to public confidence in the judiciary and the state’s commitment to fairness.
Notable Retirees Affected
Among those impacted are Hon. Justice Sunday Omeiza Otu (Rtd), Hon. Justice Olorunfemi Richard Olorunju (Rtd), former Chief Judge Hon. Justice John Bayo Olowosegun (Rtd), and former President of the Customary Court of Appeal Hon. Justice Yunusa Musa (Rtd).
Others include Hon. Justice Esther O. Haruna (Rtd), Hon. Justice Andrew Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye (Rtd), Hon. Justice Olutimehin Samuel Obayomi (Rtd), and Hon. Justice Elias Adem Egwu (Rtd).
Urgent Appeal to State Leadership
The retired judges have made a direct appeal to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, urging swift intervention to release all outstanding payments and resolve the matter promptly.
They cautioned that ignoring retired judges not only jeopardizes their personal welfare but also threatens the judiciary’s integrity, undermines judicial independence, and discourages serving judicial officers.
Restoring Dignity and Upholding the Rule of Law
In conclusion, the retirees appealed to the state government’s sense of justice and constitutional responsibility, emphasizing that timely payment of their benefits would restore their honor and reaffirm Kogi State’s commitment to constitutional governance and the rule of law.
Recent data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics indicates that delayed pension payments have become a widespread issue affecting over 30% of retired public servants nationwide, highlighting the urgency for systemic reforms in states like Kogi.
Similar challenges have been reported in neighboring states, where retired judicial officers have resorted to legal action to claim their entitlements, underscoring the critical need for government accountability and respect for constitutional provisions.
