Kogi Pension Commission Pays ₦278m To Retired Judges, Demands Adebayo’s Apology

The Kogi State Pension Commission has disclosed that ₦278.07 million was paid to 15 retired judicial officers between January and October 2026, while demanding a retraction and apology from Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, over alleged personal attacks on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by its Director-General, Hajia Mariam Ozioma Abedo, the commission said the payments were made in line with verified entitlements and available government resources.

The statement was a response to a publication dated October 23, 2026, attributed to Adebayo, a former Attorney-General of Oyo State, concerning outstanding retirement benefits of 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 Ododo, Bello and other public officials.

It maintained that outstanding gratuities did not imply hostility towards the judiciary or unwillingness to meet the government’s obligations, noting that the state must balance payments to retirees with funding for salaries, pensions, infrastructure, healthcare, education and security.

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

It challenged Adebayo to provide credible evidence for his allegation that Bello controls the incumbent governor and would prevent the settlement of judicial officers’ entitlements.

“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, adding that serious allegations required credible evidence.

The commission urged Adebayo to identify any specific beneficiary whose entitlements had been wrongly handled and seek clarification from the appropriate authorities.

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

It gave Adebayo 24 hours to withdraw 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 assertion that no payments had been made to retired judicial officers.

The commission warned that failure to comply would prompt it to petition the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee over what it described as conduct raising concerns about the standards of restraint, dignity and professional responsibility expected of a legal practitioner, particularly a SAN.

It reaffirmed its commitment to engaging retired judicial officers and other pensioners on their verified entitlements, stressing that the public deserved accurate information and that legitimate retirement benefits should be settled through responsible administration, sound financial management and constructive engagement.