Retired judges in Oyo State have commended Governor Abiola Ajimobi for approving the payment of their severance gratuities which had been denied them by the last administration.

The retired judges, in a statement issued by their spokesman, Justice Nurudeen Adekola on Friday, the retired judges expressed gratitude to the governor for making it possible for them to earn the same emoluments as their colleague serving judges, subject to constitutional provisions.

It would be recalled that the retired judges had instituted legal action against the administration. ‘We remember with gratitude that in September 2011, just about four months after becoming the governor of this state, and at a time when the state was beset with myriads of problems that required huge financial commitments, you bent over backwards to see that we were paid our severance gratuities which were denied us, and which led to court action against the previous administration,’’ Justice Adekola stated.

Justice Adekola, a former Chief Judge of the state, expressed appreciation to the governor for immediately signing the enabling law which stopped retired judges in the state ``from earning pitiable pensions insufficient to live the type of lives commensurate with their status in the society."By that singular act, you have not only made history but you have also insulated serving judicial officers against the anxiety of what happens to them after retirement. They are now confident that they will not retire into poverty and penury,’’ he said.

He said since judges, upon retirement, had been prevented from returning to the Bar by virtue of Section 292(2) of the 1999 Constitution, adequate provisions were therefore required for them to maintain their status, even after retirement.

They also acknowledged the respect which they said Governor Ajimobi had for old age and status, stressing ``your attitude to the elderly is an evidence of proper breeding."