Law officers under the umbrella of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Kwara State Ministry of Justice Branch, have commenced an indefinite strike action over the persistent failure of the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to address their welfare demands.
The industrial action, which took effect on Monday, July 27, 2026, is expected to disrupt legal and administrative activities within the Kwara State Ministry of Justice as members have been directed to withdraw all official services until further notice.
The decision was conveyed in a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Acting Chairman of the association, K.M. Ayorinde, Esq., a copy of which was obtained by SaharaReporters.
According to the statement, the association resolved to embark on an indefinite strike following the state government’s failure to respond to its demands regarding the welfare of law officers.
The statement read: “Pls, take notice that LOAN, Kwara State Chapter commences her indefinite strike action today, 27/7/2026 until the govt responds to her demands. Members would therefore suspend all official duties till further notice.”
The association said all its members are expected to fully comply with the directive by suspending every official duty until the government takes concrete steps to address the issues raised by the union.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration was facing a fresh labour crisis as members of the LOAN Kwara State Ministry of Justice Branch issued a seven-day ultimatum, threatening to embark on an indefinite strike over the government’s persistent failure to meet their welfare demands.
The planned industrial action was communicated in a letter addressed to Governor AbdulRazaq and jointly signed by the Association’s Acting Chairman, Barr. Ayorinde, and Secretary, Barr. Oniyide.
The lawyers explained that the strike had become unavoidable due to the state government’s continued neglect of repeated appeals and demands concerning their welfare, despite the critical role they play in the administration of justice and governance.Â
They noted that several letters had been sent to the governor requesting payment of outstanding allowances and implementation of agreed welfare packages, but the government had remained unresponsive.
They emphasized that state counsel regularly put their lives at risk while prosecuting criminal cases and representing the government in court, with responsibilities that extend far beyond courtroom appearances.Â
Members also contribute to state revenue through vetting contract agreements, prosecuting tax defaulters, drafting executive bills, combating gender-based violence, providing legal advice to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), offering legal services to indigent citizens, and mediating civil disputes.
The association recalled that it had previously embarked on a three-day warning strike between October 27 and October 29, 2025, but suspended the action following the intervention of the Office of the Head of Service and labour unions, who assured them that their grievances would be addressed.Â
Despite this, and several follow-up letters, the AbdulRazaq administration has failed to fulfil any of the promises made since 2025.
The association stated that the seven-day ultimatum would run from July 20 to July 26, 2026, after which members would commence an indefinite strike if their demands were not met. They warned that such action could disrupt legal services within the Kwara State Ministry of Justice.
Their demands include payment of the outstanding 50 percent balance of the 2020 furniture allowance, payment of the 2024 outstanding furniture allowance, payment of robe allowances for 2024, 2025, and 2026, and implementation of salary and allowance harmonisation.Â
They also called for harmonisation of the conditions of service of state counsel with those of Magistrates in the Kwara State Judiciary, in line with approvals granted under the 1999 and 2005 harmonisation policies.
The association stressed that failure to address these issues before the expiration of the ultimatum would leave them with no option but to proceed with an indefinite strike.
(SaharaReporters)