Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Law officers in the Kwara State Ministry of Justice have commenced an indefinite strike over the government's alleged failure to pay outstanding statutory allowances and its refusal to harmonise their salaries and conditions of service with those of magistrates in the state judiciary . The industrial action, which took effect on Monday, July 27, 2026, was announced by the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Kwara State Chapter, in a notice issued to PUNCH Online in Ilorin . The notice, signed by the association's Acting Chairman, Kehinde Ayorinde, directed members to immediately withdraw their services pending the government's response to their demands . "Please, take notice that LOAN, Kwara State Chapter, commences her indefinite strike action today, July 27, 2026, until the government responds to her demands," Ayorinde said. "Members would therefore suspend all official duties till further notice" .
The strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued by the association to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over unresolved welfare concerns . The association had accused the state government of failing to pay the outstanding balance of its members' 2020 furniture allowance, robe allowances for 2024, 2025 and 2026, and implement the long-approved harmonisation of salaries, allowances and conditions of service for state counsel with those of magistrates . The law officers said repeated appeals to the governor and the Office of the Head of Service had failed to yield results, despite assurances given after a three-day warning strike in October 2025 . The association maintained that its members play critical roles in the administration of justice, including prosecuting criminal cases, providing legal advice to government agencies, drafting bills and recovering public revenue through the prosecution of tax defaulters .
The strike adds to a growing list of labour disputes affecting Kwara State's justice sector. In July 2026, magistrates in the state expressed frustration over poor remuneration, unpaid allowances and discriminatory welfare treatment, with some magistrates earning less than N200,000 monthly and struggling to afford basic transportation to court . Magistrates had earlier threatened an indefinite strike beginning July 2 over similar grievances, including unpaid furniture allowances and disparities in official vehicle allocation . The timing of the law officers' strike suggests deepening discontent within the judiciary and legal service as welfare issues continue to strain industrial relations in the state. The strike is expected to disrupt legal and administrative activities within the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, affecting prosecutions, legal advice to government agencies, contract vetting, and revenue recovery efforts . The association has warned that all its members are expected to fully comply with the directive by suspending every official duty until the government takes concrete steps to address their demands . As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Government had not issued an official response to the strike action.
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