Members of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Kwara State Ministry of Justice Branch, have issued a seven-day notice of an indefinite strike over what they described as the state government’s failure to meet their longstanding welfare demands.
SolaceBase reports that the notice was contained in a letter jointly signed by the association’s Acting Chairman, Barr. Kehinde Ayorinde, and Secretary, Barr. Tolulope Oniyide, and addressed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
In the letter, the association said repeated appeals to the state government had failed to yield any positive response, leaving members with no option but to issue the ultimatum.
The lawyers said the dispute centres on the welfare of members, noting that the association had previously written several letters to the governor requesting the payment of outstanding allowances but received no favourable response.
They expressed disappointment over what they described as the government’s indifference despite the critical responsibilities they perform in the administration of justice across the state.
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“Our members confront criminals in court on a daily basis, generate revenue through the vetting of contract agreements, draft bills, prosecute tax defaulters to recover government revenue, and handle cases involving gender-based violence,” the association stated.
The lawyers added that they also provide legal advice to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), offer legal services to indigent citizens, and mediate in civil disputes, among other responsibilities.
The association recalled that its members embarked on a three-day warning strike from October 27 to October 29, 2025, but later suspended the action following the intervention of the Office of the Head of Service and labour unions, which assured them that their demands would be addressed by the appropriate authorities.
According to the association, those assurances have not translated into action, alleging that nothing has been done since 2025 despite several follow-up letters requesting the government to revisit the issues.
“It is against this backdrop that we are constrained to give this seven-day notice of an indefinite strike, commencing from July 20 and lapsing on July 26, 2026, to press home our demands and secure the attention of the state government,” the letter read.
Among the demands listed by the association are the payment of the outstanding 50 per cent balance of the 2020 furniture allowance, payment of the 2024 outstanding furniture allowance, settlement of robe allowances for 2024, 2025 and 2026, and the implementation of the harmonisation of salaries and allowances.
The lawyers also urged the government to harmonise the conditions of service for State Counsel with those of Magistrates in the Kwara State Judiciary in line with the 1999 and 2005 harmonisation approvals.
“We also call for the harmonisation of the general conditions of service of State Counsel with those of Magistrates in the Kwara State Judiciary in line with the 1999 and 2005 harmonisation approval,” the association said.
The lawyers warned that if the government fails to respond before the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum, members of the association would proceed on an indefinite industrial action.
