By Sumaila Ogbaje
Justice Godwin Iheabunike of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has urged serving and retiring military personnel to make adequate legal and financial preparations for life after service.
Iheabunike said the preparedness includes the drafting of valid wills to safeguard their assets and protect their families.
He gave the charge in Abuja while delivering a paper titled “Legal Affairs, Will Writing and Retirement Rights” at a Two-day Pre-Retirement Transition Readiness Workshop (Pilot Group) for senior officers of the Armed Forces.
The workshop had as its theme “Institutionalising Compulsory Rehabilitation and Unified Transition Assistance Training Programme for Retiring Senior Officers.”
It forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance post-service readiness through legal, financial, and welfare awareness.
Iheabunike explained that legal preparedness is the process of ensuring that one’s affairs are in proper legal order before or upon retirement, covering wills, powers of attorney, pension documentation, and estate structuring.
He emphasised that legal preparedness is not a one-off event but an ongoing process that requires review, adaptation, and communication.
“Writing a will is not a sign of death but an act of foresight and responsibility.
“Legal preparedness ensures that your family is protected, your wishes are respected, and your legacy preserved,” he said.
The judge outlined the major purposes of legal preparedness to include the preservation of family wealth, avoidance of litigation, protection of dignity in retirement, and promotion of intergenerational equity through deliberate asset distribution.
On living wills, he said transition from military to civilian life is not only financial but also legal, emotional, and familial.
Iheabunike urged officers with multiple dependents and assets to make living wills that specify how their affairs should be managed in case of incapacitation, ensuring peace of mind and family stability.
Speaking on retirement and pension rights, he advised personnel to understand their entitlements under the Pension Reform Act, 2014.
He stressed the importance of maintaining active Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs), knowing withdrawal rules, and regularly reviewing pension contributions.
“A modest investment of time and professional advice today can avert costly and acrimonious disputes tomorrow,” he added.
The judge commended the Defence Headquarters for organising continuous sensitisation programmes for officers and men of the Armed Forces, describing the initiative as a vital step toward institutionalising welfare and transition support systems.
Participants at the workshop lauded the lecture as insightful and timely, particularly for officers nearing retirement, noting that legal and financial planning were crucial to a smooth and dignified post-service life. (NAN)
