The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN) has threatened to direct its members across the country to embark on a nationwide solidarity strike if the Kwara State Government fails to address the welfare demands of law officers currently on an indefinite strike.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Ilorin by LOAN National Chairman, Ernest Edomwonyi, and National Secretary, Adesoji Afolabi, following the industrial action by members of the association in the Kwara State Ministry of Justice. The association said it fully supports the striking law officers and urged the Kwara State Government to begin genuine negotiations to resolve the dispute, warning that failure to do so could trigger nationwide industrial action by law officers.
The crisis began after members of LOAN in the Kwara State Ministry of Justice issued a seven-day notice of an indefinite strike over what they described as poor welfare conditions. After the notice expired, the law officers commenced the strike, while the state government reportedly responded by invoking a “No Work, No Pay” policy.
Reacting to the development, the NEC said it received the notice of industrial action with deep concern and had formally endorsed the strike until the workers’ demands are fully met.
According to the association, the strike was caused by the Kwara State Government’s continued failure to address several long-standing welfare issues affecting law officers.
The association said the workers are demanding payment of the outstanding 50 per cent Furniture Allowance for 2020, full payment of the 2024 Furniture Allowance, and Robe Allowances for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
The law officers are also seeking the full implementation of the approved harmonisation of salaries, allowances and conditions of service for State Counsel with those of Magistrates in the Kwara State Judiciary, in line with the 2005 harmonisation approval.
Speaking through the statement, Edomwonyi and Afolabi described the demands as legitimate and necessary for the effective administration of justice.
“The NEC identifies with the struggle of Law Officers in Kwara, as their demands are legitimate and reasonable in all circumstances and are intended to ensure their effective and continued participation in the State’s justice delivery system as critical stakeholders,” the statement said.
The national body added that the welfare challenges in Kwara reflect broader concerns affecting law officers across the country, stressing that members nationwide would not hesitate to join the struggle if the state government fails to resolve the dispute.
LOAN also directed all its state chapters across the federation to remain on standby while it continues to monitor developments in Kwara. It said further lawful collective action would be taken if necessary.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin Branch, Jimoh Muhammad, expressed support for the striking law officers and criticised the Kwara State Government’s reported “No Work, No Pay” policy.
Speaking on the development, Muhammad described the government’s position as undemocratic, saying workers should not be punished for seeking what they believe are their lawful entitlements.
According to him, dialogue remains the best way to resolve the crisis instead of threats or punitive measures.
He disclosed that the NBA had written to the Kwara State Governor, the Head of Service, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, while also copying the Chief Judge of the state, urging all parties to resolve the dispute through peaceful discussions.
Muhammad said the association had consistently advocated dialogue and expressed disappointment over the government’s response to the strike.
He also noted that law officers, particularly those handling criminal prosecutions, make significant sacrifices in the course of their duties and often expose themselves to danger while serving the state.
While clarifying that the NBA could not legally participate in the industrial action, Muhammad assured that the association would continue to defend the interests and welfare of law officers.
