Time to Jail Leaders Who Steal Retirees' Pension, Says Lawyer
Nigerian retirees have served this country for decades, and now they are being forced to beg for what is rightfully theirs. Lawyer and public affairs analyst Maxwell Opara says enough is enough. He is calling on lawmakers to make delayed or denied pension payments a criminal offense, and he is ready to fight for it.
In a fiery interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Opara declared that any government official who fails to pay pensions when due should face criminal sanctions. 'So, I think this is high time we criminalised delaying or denial of pension. We should criminalise it. There should be a legislation that we should push up a legislation, where you fail to pay pension as at when due, it should be a criminal offense,' he said.
Why Should Retirees Have to Protest for Their Own Money?
Opara stressed that pensioners who gave 35 years of their lives to this nation should not have to hit the streets to demand what they earned. 'That somebody will serve a country for 35 years, his own money, he's not asking you to borrow him money, his own money he suffered for. Pay me my right, pay me my gratuity, pay me my pension,' he added.
The lawyer also slammed the use of tear gas against peaceful pensioners, calling it a gross violation of their constitutional rights. He referenced Sections 34 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, arguing that attacking harmless protesters is unacceptable.
What Are the Legal Options for Pensioners?
Opara urged affected retirees to keep pushing through lawful means and offered his own support. 'I'm also ready to offer them free legal services. Nigerian Bar Association, Human Rights Commission, we are also there, and some other public interest litigants can also offer them free legal services,' he stated.
He insisted that pensioners can take their cases to court to enforce their fundamental rights, even if security agencies try to deny the violations. 'Denial cannot exonerate them. It is actionable, and they can enforce their right through court,' he said.
What Is the Role of Security Agencies During Protests?
Opara criticised the deployment of security personnel against protesters, arguing that their duty is to protect peaceful demonstrations, not to attack them. 'When somebody is protesting, especially you know that the person is carrying black flags, you are there to make sure that that protest is not hijacked by hoodlums. That is the only duty you have to do,' he explained.
He also questioned why pensioners face endless verification exercises and other hurdles before accessing their funds, calling it a deliberate act of frustration.
Is the National Assembly Doing Enough for Retirees?
Opara did not hold back in criticising the National Assembly for failing to protect retirees' interests. He said stronger legislative oversight is needed to tackle these challenges and prevent the ongoing mistreatment of senior citizens.
What Happens Next?
Opara has a clear plan. 'If they elect me as a Federal House of Representatives member, I will push the bill to criminalize delay in paying pension. I will make sure that the bill, we push that bill so that all this rubbish will stop,' he concluded.
This is a fight for justice, and it is a fight that every Nigerian should support. Our retirees built this nation, and they deserve better than tear gas and empty promises.