The Kogi State Government On Sunday, has finally reacted to the death of a civil servant Edward Soje, who committed suicide after he couldn’t bear the financial hardship after being owed eight months salary. Read our earlier report HERE
According to the state Head of Service, Deborah Ogunmola, who admitted to owing the deceased the 8 months salary, in a statement in Lokoja, Soje received his monthly salary up till December 2016, when it was suddenly stopped by the government.
Ogunmola said;
“His pay was stopped after proof emerged that he falsified his age records. His confession to the offence is on video to justify government stoppage of his salary”
Ogunmola, however, explained that following engagements with the labour which spanned several months, the Kogi governor magnanimously commuted the disciplinary action due against Soje and other certain categories of offenders by granting them pardon.
“Pardoned members staff were processed for reinstatement and payment in batches. Mr Soje was in the September 2017 batch and he was aware of this fact.
The Kogi State Teaching Service Commission, where he worked has forwarded a template for payment to government and Mr Soje was aware that he was listed to receive six months back pay.”
According to her, this leaves only 2 months (August and September) outstanding.
Ogunmola, who also hailed from Ogori, the same town with the deceased, said the government was saddened in no small measure by the alleged action of Soje.
She, however, deplored media reports attributing Soje’s alleged decision to commit suicide to non-payment of salary.
The late mister soje reportedly left behind a suicide note addressed to his wife of 17 years, praying for her and the children who were born after a childless marriage.
