Kogi State Pension Commission threatens legal action against Senior Advocate

The Kogi State Pension Commission has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, demanding a retraction and apology for remarks regarding Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.

The Commission threatened to petition the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee if Adebayo does not withdraw what it described as abusive language, including terms such as “puppet,” “effigy,” and “pawn.” The dispute follows a publication by Adebayo concerning the retirement benefits of judicial officers in the state.

In response to allegations that no payments had been made, the Commission’s Director-General, Hajia Mariam Ozioma Abedo, stated that ₦278.07 million has been paid since January to 15 retired judicial officers. The Commission maintained that these payments were made based on verified entitlements and available government resources, noting that outstanding balances should not be viewed as hostility toward the judiciary.