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FILE: Lawyers
Legal services at the Kwara State Ministry of Justice were disrupted on Monday after law officers commenced an indefinite strike over unpaid statutory allowances and the non-implementation of salary harmonisation approved for state counsel.
The industrial action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the state government by the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Kwara State Chapter, demanding the settlement of outstanding welfare issues.
In a notice announcing the action, the association directed all its members to immediately withdraw their services until the government responds to its demands.
The notice, signed by the Acting Chairman of the association, Kehinde Ayorinde, said the strike took effect on July 27.
“Please, take notice that LOAN, Kwara State Chapter, commences her indefinite strike action today, July 27, 2026, until the government responds to her demands.
“Members would therefore suspend all official duties till further notice,” the notice stated.
The association said the dispute stemmed from the government’s failure to pay the outstanding balance of the 2020 furniture allowance as well as robe allowances for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
It also accused the government of failing to implement the harmonisation of salaries, allowances and conditions of service for state counsel with those of magistrates despite earlier approvals.
The lawyers said repeated engagements with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Office of the Head of Service had produced no tangible results, even after a three-day warning strike held in October 2025.
According to the association, its members perform key responsibilities in the justice sector, including prosecuting criminal cases, offering legal advice to ministries and government agencies, drafting legislation and pursuing the recovery of public revenue through tax related prosecutions.
The association had warned before the expiration of its ultimatum that it would embark on an indefinite strike if the outstanding issues remained unresolved.
Several calls and text messages to the Commissioner for Communication, Bola Olukoju, and the state Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman (SAN), seeking their reactions were not answered.
A judiciary employee, who spoke with Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said the industrial action was limited to lawyers working in the Ministry of Justice.
“The strike did not affect workers at the High Court or private legal practitioners. It only affected staff of the Ministry of Justice,” the source said. (Daily Trust)
