Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Kwara State Ministry of Justice Chapter, has accused the state government of resorting to intimidation and victimisation rather than genuine negotiation, following the government's threat to enforce a "no work, no pay" policy against its members currently on indefinite strike. In a strongly worded response to the government's position, the association insisted that no meaningful engagement had taken place over the past three years to address the welfare concerns of state counsel, despite repeated appeals and correspondence. The dispute, which has paralysed legal operations across the state, has now drawn the attention of the national leadership of LOAN and the Nigerian Bar Association, with warnings that the crisis could escalate into a nationwide industrial action if the Kwara State Government fails to resolve the impasse through dialogue.
The strike was triggered by the government's alleged failure to pay outstanding statutory allowances and to harmonise the salaries and conditions of service of state counsel with those of magistrates in the Kwara State Judiciary, in line with a 2005 harmonisation approval. Among the specific demands listed by the association are the payment of the outstanding 50 per cent balance of the 2020 furniture allowance, full payment of the 2024 furniture allowance, robe allowances for 2024, 2025 and 2026, and the full implementation of salary harmonisation and alignment of conditions of service for state counsel with those of magistrates. The law officers argue that these entitlements are long overdue and critical to their welfare and the effective functioning of the state's justice delivery system.
The industrial action began after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued on July 20, 2026, which lapsed on July 26 without any concrete response from the government. The law officers had previously embarked on a three-day warning strike in October 2025, which was suspended following assurances from the Office of the Head of Service that their demands would be addressed. However, the association alleges that those assurances have not translated into action, and that nothing has been done since 2025 despite several follow-up letters. In a letter dated July 31, 2026, addressed to the Acting Head of Service, LOAN Chairman Ayorinde K. M. and Secretary Tolulope Pelumi Oniyide rejected the government's claim that it had taken steps to address their grievances. The association insisted that there had been no genuine effort by the government over the past three years to resolve the issues, and that the only documents requested by the Head of Service's office related to the breakdown of furniture allowances and salary harmonisation documents, which were supplied solely for clarification and were never part of any negotiation process. The association also faulted the government's account of a meeting held on July 29, 2026, insisting that the gathering was never convened to negotiate an end to the strike but merely to communicate information to the association, and that the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, had refused to disclose details of a purported "approval in principle" allegedly secured regarding the demands of state counsel.
The Kwara State Government, through the Office of the Head of Service, has threatened to invoke the "no work, no pay" policy against the striking law officers. In a letter dated July 30, 2026, the Head of Service defended the government's handling of the issues while warning that members participating in the strike would forfeit their salaries. The government claimed that it had been making efforts to address the grievances and that the Office of the Head of Service had been working tirelessly on all the association's demands. It argued that significant progress had already been made and that the association had been asked at different stages to provide relevant information and documentation to validate its requests. The Head of Service also faulted the decision of members to lock government offices, stating that while the association had the right to embark on strike, the issue was the closure of offices, and the government would ensure all offices remained open. A spokesperson for the Head of Service, Oduwole Oladayo, acknowledged the constitutional right of the association to strike but insisted that the government would not tolerate the locking of government offices.
The national leadership of LOAN has thrown its full weight behind the striking law officers, describing their demands as legitimate and long overdue. In a statement jointly signed by the association's National President, Ernest Edomwonyi, and National Secretary, Adesoji A. A., LOAN declared that its National Executive Council had unanimously resolved to support every lawful step being taken by the Kwara law officers until their grievances were addressed. The association warned that the crisis might no longer remain a Kwara affair if the state government failed to reconsider its position, and that law officers in other states may be mobilised to join the industrial action in solidarity if necessary. The National Executive Council also threatened to direct its members nationwide to embark on a solidarity strike if the Kwara government failed to meet the workers' demands, describing the struggle of Kwara law officers as a collective fight for the rights of law officers nationwide. The national body has directed all state chapters of LOAN across Nigeria to remain on standby pending further directives on whether to join the industrial action if the Kwara Government fails to resolve the dispute.
The Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, has also condemned the government's "no work, no pay" threat, describing it as undemocratic and a punishment for workers exercising their legitimate rights. The NBA Chairman, Saad Jimoh Muhammad, appealed to the state government to open negotiations with the striking workers to avert a prolonged disruption in the justice sector, insisting that dialogue, not threats or punitive measures, remains the only path to resolving the crisis. He disclosed that the NBA had formally intervened by writing to the Governor, the Head of Service, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, while also copying the Chief Judge of the state. Muhammad stressed that workers have a constitutional and democratic right to seek improved welfare and working conditions, and that the government should not use the threat of "no work, no pay" as a tool to punish those who are simply asking for their rights. He also highlighted the enormous sacrifices made by law officers, particularly those handling criminal prosecutions, who often place themselves in dangerous situations while carrying out official assignments.
Organised labour has also rejected the government's threat, warning that the dispute could escalate into a nationwide industrial action if not resolved through dialogue. Union representatives maintained that workers have legitimate grievances that deserve constructive engagement rather than punitive measures. The dispute has further heightened tensions between the state government and the legal officers, with the Office of the Head of Service reportedly threatening to force open government offices locked by the striking workers.
The strike has disrupted legal operations across the state, affecting court proceedings and the functioning of ministries and departments. The law officers have maintained that the strike will continue until the state government addresses the outstanding issues, and they have rejected calls to suspend the industrial action, insisting that no meaningful agreement has been reached with the government. As the impasse continues, the threat of a nationwide strike looms, and the justice sector in Kwara State remains paralysed, with litigants and the people of the state bearing the brunt of the dispute. The government's insistence on enforcing the "no work, no pay" policy has only deepened the crisis, and the NBA and organised labour have called on both parties to embrace dialogue to avert further escalation.
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