The Kogi State Pension Commission has disclosed that ₦278.07 million has been paid to 15 retired judicial officers between January and October 2026, dismissing allegations that the state government has failed to address their retirement entitlements. The Commission also demanded a public apology from former Oyo State Attorney-General, Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN, over what it described as offensive remarks and unsubstantiated allegations against Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.
In a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, 2026, the Commission’s Director-General, Hajia Mariam Ozioma Abedo, said the payments were made in accordance with verified entitlements and available government resources, although the affected judicial officers had yet to receive their full gratuities. Responding to a publication attributed to Adebayo on October 23, the Commission maintained that outstanding retirement benefits should not be interpreted as evidence of hostility towards the judiciary or unwillingness to discharge the government’s obligations. It challenged the Senior Advocate to substantiate allegations that former Governor Bello exercised undue influence over Ododo’s administration, insisting that public criticism must be supported by verifiable facts rather than personal attacks.
The Commission consequently gave Adebayo 24 hours to withdraw the allegedly offensive descriptions of the two political figures, publish an unequivocal apology through the same channels used for his earlier publication and correct his assertion that no payments had been made to retired judicial officers. It warned that failure to comply would result in petitions to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee for consideration of his conduct. While acknowledging the right of legal practitioners to demand accountability, the Commission maintained that such advocacy must reflect the restraint and professional responsibility expected of members of the legal profession, particularly those holding the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
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