Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called for the arrest and prosecution of police officers accused of using tear gas to disperse elderly pensioners protesting in Alausa, Lagos.
The pensioners gathered at the Lagos State Government Secretariat and the House of Assembly complex on Monday to demand payment of outstanding pension adjustments, consequential increases and wage awards.
The protest was disrupted after police officers reportedly deployed tear gas to disperse the retirees.
Falana condemned the action, arguing that the pensioners were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and protest. He urged the Inspector-General of Police to identify and prosecute the officers responsible.
According to Falana, a 2008 Court of Appeal judgment affirmed that Nigerians have the right to organise rallies and demonstrations without obtaining a police permit.
He also cited the Nigeria Police Force Establishment Act 2020, arguing that the police are required to provide security for peaceful gatherings rather than violently disperse them.
Falana described the incident as a violation of the pensioners’ rights and called for accountability over the alleged use of force.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme, Michael Omisande, said hundreds of retirees participated in the protest.
Omisande said representatives of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police later met with the pensioners and apologised for the disorder that followed the police intervention.
He added that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was reportedly out of Lagos, sent his Chief of Staff to meet with the protesters.
According to Omisande, the Chief of Staff held discussions with the pensioners and asked them to return to Alausa on Thursday for a meeting with the governor.
The pensioners are demanding the implementation of outstanding pension increases and wage awards, which they say have not been reflected in their retirement benefits.
PenCom intervenes
The National Pension Commission has also begun discussions with the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Pension Commission over the delayed implementation of pension adjustments for retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
PenCom said it recognised the concerns of retirees and was working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the issues.
The commission explained that implementing pension increases involves several processes, including determining eligible retirees, calculating the applicable increases, assessing actuarial liabilities, identifying funding requirements and providing relevant instructions to Pension Fund Administrators.
PenCom said it would continue working with the Lagos State Government, LASPEC, PFAs and representatives of pensioners toward a transparent and sustainable resolution.
However, the commission did not announce a specific date for when the outstanding pension increases and wage awards would be paid.
The dispute highlights continuing concerns among Lagos retirees over delays in implementing approved adjustments to their retirement benefits.
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