Ex-Judges Sue Mimiko, AG Over Unpaid Benefits

James Sowole in Akure

For alleged refusal to pay their retirement benefits and pensions since 2007, some retired judges in Ondo state have sued Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the state Pension Board and the State Attorney General, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, at the National Industrial Court sitting in Akure.

In the suit, retired judges prayed the court to direct the defendants to pay them an upward review by 96 per cent of their monthly pension from February,
2007 in line with circulars issued in 2010 and 2015 by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The aggrieved judges listed some of the benefits to include accommodation, four official domestic staff, medical care, and serviceable vehicles, among others.

The former judges also sought an order of the Industrial Court compelling the state government and its officials to review and harmonise their pension benefits every five years from 2000 till date in conformity with section 210 subsection 2 and 3 of the 1999 Constitution.

The suit was filed by their counsel, Prince Adetoye Ojopagogo,

Speaking on behalf of the plaintiffs, retired Justice Adeyemo Afonja lamented that six out of the retired judges including late justice Rasheed Fawehinmi had died while struggling and waiting to receive their benefits from the government.

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