Retired judges of Kogi State have expressed deep concern over prolonged neglect by the state government, urging the immediate payment of pensions, gratuities, and allowances owed to them.

The retired judicial officers, who left service between 2021 and 2023 after decades of service, described their current situation as one of hardship, uncertainty, and emotional distress due to unpaid benefits.

In a statement on Thursday, the retirees accused the Kogi State Government of violating constitutional provisions and existing laws that guarantee post-retirement welfare for judicial officers. They emphasized that these benefits are legal rights, not privileges, intended to safeguard the dignity and independence of judges after retirement.

According to the judges, all necessary documentation for their entitlements has been processed and verified. However, repeated appeals to state officials, including the Office of the Governor, have gone unanswered.

“The irony is painful. Those who spent their lives defending the rule of law are now being denied the protections and benefits guaranteed by the same law,” one retired judge lamented.

The retirees’ pending entitlements include gratuity payments, medical allowances, security allowances, and statutory vehicle allocations. They described the government’s inaction as negligent, unjust, and degrading, warning that it erodes public confidence in the state’s commitment to justice.

Among the retirees calling for action are Hon. Justice Sunday Omeiza Otu (Rtd), Hon. Justice Olorunfemi Richard Olorunju (Rtd), former Chief Judge Hon. Justice John Bayo Olowosegun (Rtd), 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 judges appealed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to order the immediate settlement of all outstanding entitlements. They stressed that prompt payment would not only restore their dignity but also reaffirm the state’s commitment to constitutional governance, judicial independence, and the rule of law.