Retired judges in Kogi State have raised the alarm over what they describe as prolonged neglect by the state government, calling for the immediate payment of their constitutionally guaranteed pensions, gratuities, and allowances.
The judicial officers, who retired between 2021 and 2023 after decades of service, expressed deep concern over the hardship and uncertainty they now face due to the continued non-payment of entitlements lawfully owed to them.
In a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, the retirees accused the Kogi State Government of violating clear constitutional provisions designed to safeguard the welfare, dignity, and independence of judges after retirement. They emphasized that these benefits are legal rights, not privileges.
“All necessary documentation has been processed and verified, yet repeated appeals to state officials, including the Office of the Governor, have yielded no results,” the statement read. “The irony is painful. Those who spent their lives defending the rule of law are now being denied the protections guaranteed by the same law.”
The affected judges include Hon. Justice Sunday Omeiza Otu (Rtd); Hon. Justice Olorunfemi Richard Olorunju (Rtd); former Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John Bayo Olowosegun (Rtd); former President, Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Yunusa Musa (Rtd); 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).
The retirees listed their outstanding entitlements to include gratuity payments, medical allowances, security allowances, and statutory vehicle allocations, all of which are enshrined under existing laws. They described the government’s continued silence and inaction as negligent, unjust, and degrading, warning that such treatment undermines public confidence in the state’s commitment to justice.
The retired judges have called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to intervene immediately, stressing that failure to act could discourage judicial independence, erode the dignity of the judiciary, and send a dangerous signal to serving judicial officers.
They urged the state leadership to honor the law, uphold justice and fairness, and promptly settle all pending benefits. “Prompt payment will not only restore our dignity but also reaffirm the state’s commitment to constitutional governance and respect for the judiciary,” the statement concluded.
