Senator Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Governor and Government of Kogi State to immediately pay the outstanding entitlements and allowances of retired judicial officers.
He warned that failure to comply will leave him with no option but to pursue legal action to compel payment and seek punitive costs.
Senator Adebayo, a former Attorney-General with a history of defending judicial officers’ rights, said his advocacy in Kogi State was prompted by a call from one of the country’s most respected retired judges, Honourable Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye.
The judge reportedly highlighted the prolonged suffering of judicial officers in Kogi State due to the withholding of their rightful dues.
“Judicial officers in Kogi State deserve the same respect and prompt settlement as their counterparts in Osun State,” Senator Adebayo said, recalling his 2024 intervention in Osun State.
At that time, his advocacy prompted Governor Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke to settle all outstanding entitlements promptly, preventing the need for litigation. The senator praised the Osun governor’s swift action as an example of responsible governance and respect for the judiciary.
Highlighting the serious implications of unpaid entitlements, Senator Adebayo condemned the Kogi State government’s delay as “callous, irresponsible, and a threat to justice and the smooth administration of courts.”
He argued that such delays undermine the rule of law, reflect executive recklessness, and constitute oppression against public servants who have dedicated their lives to upholding justice.
The senator drew parallels with historical precedents in Oyo State, where retired judges’ severance allowances and gratuities were long delayed under previous administrations. Upon assuming office, Senator Adebayo intervened to ensure that the judges received all their due entitlements, earning commendation from members of the judiciary.
“Injustice to one anywhere is injustice to all everywhere,” he said. “Irresponsible and non-responsive government must not be tolerated anywhere in Nigeria.”
Senator Adebayo has directed that if Kogi State fails to pay the retired judicial officers within 14 days, he will file legal action in a competent court to compel payment, including claims for damages and punitive costs.
Contact:
JCI Senator Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN
Phone: +2348033275495 | +2348181585848
Email: adebayoojo90@gmail.com
