Non-paid Director commits suicide in Kogi after birth of triplets, Kogi Govt reacts

-Kogi Director, Edward Soje commits suicide after birth of male triplets

-He allegedly killed himself over non-payment of salaries.

-Kogi State government reacted to the suicide report that he died as a result of salaries owed him by the state government.

The Kogi State government has expressed shock over a 54-year-old Director, Edward Soje, in the State Teaching Service commission, who allegedly committed suicide on Friday evening by hanging himself on a tree in Lokoja, the state capital.

Naija News gathered that Soje who had been childless before the arrival of his new born triplets, took his life after 10 days of the delivery of his set of male triplets by his wife after 17 years.

It was further learnt that the dangling body of Soje, was found on Saturday on a tree behind the mammy market at the Maigumeri barracks, the Nigeria Army Command Record.

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Reacting to the incident, the Kogi State Government dismissed reports that the late director committed suicide over non-payment of salaries, saying he was last paid in December 2016.

The Kogi State Head of Service, Deborah Ogunmola, on Sunday in a statement said there was no evidence that he committed suicide because he had not been paid.

Ogunmola, who claimed to be related to Soje’s wife, said he was not paid due to age falsification.

According to her, she met with the deceased a few days before his demise and there was no hint that he would take such “horrible decision” because he did not appear depressed.

She said: “For the records, these are the facts surrounding Mr. Soje’s employment with the Kogi State Government: He continued to receive his salaries till December, 2016, even while the Staff Screening and Verification was ongoing.

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

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“Following engagements with labour, 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 workers 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, had 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 member of my staff; he was also married to my sister-in-law. His death is shocking, both as one related to him, and one responsible for him in an official capacity.”