{
  "id": 5521020,
  "title": "Lawyer urges lawmakers to criminalise delayed pension payments",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/lawyer-urges-lawmakers-to-criminalise-delayed-pension-payments-5521020",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T08:24:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/lawyer-urges-lawmakers-to-criminalise-delayed-pension-payments/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Public affairs analyst Maxwell Opara has urged lawmakers to criminalize the delayed payment of pensions, stating that retirees should not be forced to protest for their earned entitlements. Speaking with ARISE News, Opara argued that pensioners who dedicated decades of service should not face legal challenges in obtaining their hard-earned money. \"There should be a legislation that we should push up a legislation, where you fail to pay pension as at when due, it should be a criminal offense,\" he said. Opara condemned the use of tear gas against peaceful pensioners, describing it as a blatant violation of their constitutional rights. He also criticized the Nigerian Police and other security agencies for their alleged denial of evidence, stating that such behavior cannot exonerate them. The lawyer urged affected pensioners to pursue their demands through lawful means and offered free legal services to support their cause. He also criticized the prolonged delays in pension payments, alleging repeated verification exercises and other difficulties faced by retirees. Opara expressed willingness to sponsor legislation criminalizing delayed pension payments if elected to the House of Representatives.",
  "summary": "A lawyer advocates for legislation to criminalise delayed pension payments, arguing retirees should not protest for earned entitlements. Learn more about t Read More: https://punchng.com/lawyer-urges-lawmakers-to-criminalise-delayed-pension-payments/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Lawyer urges lawmakers to criminalise delayed pension payments",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/lawyer-urges-lawmakers-to-criminalise-delayed-pension-payments",
        "published": "2026-09-04T07:58:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}