Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Law officers in Enugu State, under the aegis of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, have commenced a seven-day warning strike over what they describe as salary cuts, unpaid allowances and prolonged neglect of their welfare by the state government. The industrial action took effect at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, and is scheduled to run for seven juridical days. The strike was announced in a statement titled "A Call for Justice for Law Officers of Enugu State," alongside a strike notice dated September 30, 2026, and signed by the association's Chairman and Secretary, K.P. Onyia and M.O. Onyeze.
The law officers said they had been forced to work under harsh and impoverishing conditions, alleging that the situation worsened in 2020 when their salaries were reduced and their hazard allowance was completely removed. According to the association, the withdrawal of the allowances had forced some officers to use their personal funds to carry out official government assignments. "These are not issues that have suddenly emerged. Series of correspondences, representations and engagements have been made to the Government over time, drawing attention to these concerns and seeking meaningful intervention," the law officers stated. "Sadly, these efforts have yielded no satisfactory resolution." The association said the decision to embark on the warning strike followed prolonged attempts through correspondence and engagements to draw the government's attention to the plight of its members, all of which had yielded no satisfactory resolution.
In the strike notice, LOAN listed six core demands it said were aimed at addressing longstanding disparities in the remuneration and welfare of state law officers. They include the full harmonisation of law officers' remuneration with that of magistrates, the payment of members' Bar Practising Fees, the payment of members' Annual Bar Conference fees, and the full restoration and payment of transportation, hazard and wardrobe allowances, including arrears. The association emphasised that the demands being made were neither unreasonable nor excessive, and stressed that the strike was not merely about allowances but also about fairness, professional dignity, appropriate remuneration and the welfare of those who serve the state. "Law Officers provide legal services that are fundamental to the functioning of Government and the administration of justice," the statement added. "It is therefore important that the welfare, dignity and working conditions of those entrusted with these responsibilities receive the attention they deserve."
To enforce the industrial action, LOAN directed all state counsel under the Ministry of Justice, government departments and liaison offices to immediately down tools and suspend official legal representation on behalf of the state. The association specifically directed its members to stay away from courts, correctional centres, police stations and other law enforcement agencies in furtherance of official duties during the strike. The notice stated that no law officer in the Abuja or Lagos liaison offices, Government House or any ministry, department or agency should be on duty, attend court, or visit any correctional centre, police station or other law enforcement agency for official purposes. The officers were instead directed to work from home and abstain from carrying out any government business pursuant to the association's collective resolution. "We hope that this brief period will enable the authorities to do the needful. Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta!" the notice read.
The association said the warning strike was intended to draw attention to the longstanding disparities in the remuneration, welfare and professional treatment of state law officers. LOAN described the action as more than a dispute over allowances, arguing that it also concerned the professional dignity, remuneration and welfare of officers responsible for providing legal services to the Enugu State Government. The law officers appealed to the state government to address their grievances during the seven-day window, stressing that the warning strike was intended to encourage the authorities to take appropriate action. "This is not merely about allowances. It is about fairness, professional dignity, appropriate remuneration and the welfare of those who serve the State," the association said.
As of the time of filing the report, the Enugu State Government had not publicly responded to the association's demands or the commencement of the strike. The law officers' action is the latest in a series of industrial disputes in Enugu State's justice sector in 2026. In September 2026, judiciary workers under the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria resumed an indefinite strike over the non-payment of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure and other salary arrears. That strike halted court operations across the state, with hearings and rulings suspended and no timeline for resumption. The state government had inaugurated a committee on judiciary financial autonomy, mandated to submit its final report for presentation by 12 noon on October 19, 2026. The law officers' strike adds a new layer to the pressure on the Enugu State Government, which now faces a coordinated shutdown of legal services across the Ministry of Justice, the courts and other law enforcement institutions.
The seven-day warning strike is expected to disrupt official legal representation on behalf of the state, including the prosecution of criminal cases, representation in civil matters and visits to correctional facilities where law officers routinely interact with suspects and defendants. The association's decision to direct members to stay away from police stations and correctional centres could affect the processing of case files, the filing of charges and the appearance of state counsel in court. If the government does not address the demands within the seven-day window, the association has not ruled out further industrial action. For now, the law officers of Enugu State have sent a clear message: their welfare and professional dignity are not negotiable. The coming days will reveal whether the state government will heed the call or allow the dispute to escalate into a full-blown shutdown of legal services.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments