Why We Didn't Pay Civil Service Director's Salaries Before He Committed Suicide - Kogi State Govt

Posted by Odinaka on Mon 23rd Oct, 2017 - tori.ng

After enduring a backlash online, authorities in Kogi State have opened up on the shocking death of a senior civil servant who reportedly committed suicide after going months without pay.

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TORI News reported on Saturday that a director in the Kogi State civil service, Edward Soje allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree in Lokoja, the state capital.

The 54-year-old civil servant reportedly took his own life barely 10 days after his wife of 17 years, gave birth to a set of male triplets in a private hospital in Abuja. The couple had been childless before then.

The Kogi State Government who endured public backlash since the news of Mr. Soje’s demise became public knowledge Saturday, have on Sunday, expressed shock at the death of the senior civil servant who reportedly committed suicide after going months without pay.

The state’s head of service, Deborah Ogunmola, said the death of Edward Soje should not be blamed on Kogi State who had owed the deceased seveal months of salary.

In her Sunday statement, Ms. Ogunmola said Mr. Soje was caught in false age declaration practices during a staff verification exercise introduced by Governor Yahaya Bello.

“His pay was stopped after proof emerged that he falsified his age records. His confession to the offence is on video,” Ms. Ogunmola said.

Notwithstanding, the state decided to retain Mr. Soje in service following talks with labour union officials, the official said.

“Following engagements with Labour which spanned several months, the Kogi State Governor magnanimously commuted the disciplinary action due against certain categories of offenders by grant of pardon. Mr. Soje fell into one of the categories.

“Pardoned 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 works has forwarded a template for payment to Government and Mr. Soje was aware that he was listed to receive six months back pay, leaving only two months (August and September) outstanding.

“Edward Soje was not just my staff; he was also married to my sister-in-law. His death is shocking, both as one related to him in some way, and one responsible for him in an official capacity.”