* Dr Sikiru Tae Lawal
The Pathfinder
Friday April 24, 2026
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The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered the Ekiti State Government to pay all outstanding entitlements due to former Deputy Governor, Sikiru Tae Lawal, including his monthly stipend, severance allowance, gratuity, and other benefits.
Lawal served as deputy to former governor, Segun Oni, before the Court of Appeal sacked both men in 2010 and installed Kayode Fayemi as governor.
Since leaving office, Lawal had alleged that he was denied all entitlements as a former deputy governor despite not being impeached, claiming that while his former principal received his benefits, he was sidelined.
Through his counsel, Adeboro Adamson (SAN), Lawal approached the court seeking a declaration that the non-payment of his pension, severance benefits, monthly stipends with arrears, and other entitlements under the Ekiti State Pensions Law, 2012 (as amended in 2014 and 2015), was unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, and unjustifiable.
The suit listed the Ekiti State Governor, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and the state government as defendants.
Lawal also sought an order compelling the defendants to calculate and pay all outstanding entitlements from October 15, 2010, as well as ₦100m as general damages.
However, counsel to the defendants, Gbemiga Adaramola, argued that the election that produced Lawal was nullified by the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, on October 15, 2010, insisting that he was not legally entitled to any benefits.
He further maintained that the government neither paid pensions to Oni nor discriminated against Lawal.
In his judgment, Justice E.D. Subilim dismissed the objections raised by the state government and held that the denial of Lawal’s entitlements was unlawful.
The court ruled that the failure to pay his pension, severance benefits, and stipends under the Ekiti State Grant of Pensions Law was “unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, and unjustifiable.”
Justice Subilim consequently ordered the Ekiti State Government to immediately compute and pay all outstanding benefits due to Lawal, including arrears from October 15, 2010, and continue subsequent payments as stipulated by law.
The court also awarded ₦10m as aggravated and exemplary damages against the defendants for what it described as “oppressive, arbitrary, and unconstitutional conduct.”
It further ordered that the judgment sum attract 10 per cent interest per annum from the date of judgment until full payment is made.
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