The Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Benue State Chapter, has commenced a two-week warning strike action effective from midnight of Monday, January 12, 2026, to January 26, 2026, over the failure of the Benue State Government to harmonize their salaries with those of Magistrates and pay accumulated arrears.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
In a notice dated January 9, 2026, and addressed to key government officials including the Governor, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Judge, Attorney-General, and other stakeholders, the Association said the industrial action follows several unfruitful engagements with the government on the matter.
The notice, jointly signed by the Chairman, Aondongu V. Nyamtamen, Esq., and Secretary General, R.B.N. Amenger, Esq., stated that the strike action is in response to the non-implementation of Section 3 of the Legal Officers (Harmonization of Conditions of Service with Magistrates etc.) Law Cap. 92, Laws of Benue State, 2004.
“We write on behalf of the entire members of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN) Benue State Chapter (an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), to formally notify you and by extension the Benue State Government of our intention to embark on a two (2) weeks warning strike action effective from Midnight of Monday 12th January, 2026 to 26th January, 2026 should our demands remain unanswered,” the notice stated.
The Demands
According to the Association, their demands include, but are not limited to:
- Harmonization of the salary of law officers in the Benue State Ministry of Justice with that of magistrates in the Judiciary in compliance with the law cited above;
- Payment of arrears accumulated from the non-implementation of the said harmonization since December 2024.
Purpose Of The Strike
The law officers explained that the warning strike is intended to draw urgent attention to the issues and to encourage immediate resolution in the interest of justice and industrial harmony.
“This warning strike is intended to draw urgent attention to the above issues and to encourage immediate resolution in the interest of justice and industrial harmony,” the Association stated.
The law officers also expressed hope that the government would seize the opportunity to address their grievances promptly and avert any disruption in the operations of the Ministry of Justice.
“We sincerely hope that the Government will seize this window to address our grievances promptly and avert any disruption in the operations of the Ministry of Justice,” the notice added.
Wide Circulation
The notice was copied to several judicial and legal authorities including:
- The Presiding Judge, Court of Appeal, Makurdi Judicial Division
- The President, Customary Court of Appeal, Makurdi
- The Presiding Judge, National Industrial Court, Makurdi Judicial Division
- The Presiding Judge, Federal High Court, Makurdi Judicial Division
- The Chairmen of Nigerian Bar Association, Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo Branches
- The President, Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN)
The Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Benue State Chapter, is an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and represents law officers working in the Benue State Ministry of Justice and Public Order.
The Association’s office is located at the Ministry of Justice & Public Order, P.M.B. 102017, Makurdi, Benue State.
The harmonization law cited by the Association was enacted in 2004 to ensure parity in the conditions of service between law officers in the state’s Ministry of Justice and Magistrates in the Judiciary.
However, according to LOAN, despite the existence of this law for over two decades, the Benue State Government has failed to implement it fully, leading to accumulated arrears that have not been paid since December 2024.
The two-week warning strike, which began at midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026, is expected to affect the operations of the Benue State Ministry of Justice and Public Order, potentially disrupting legal services and court proceedings involving state lawyers.
The strike action represents the latest in a series of industrial disputes between professional associations and state governments over the implementation of salary harmonization laws and payment of entitlements.
Benue Law Officers Begin Two-Week Warning StrikeAs of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Benue State Government to the strike notice or the demands of the law officers.
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
______________________________________________________________________ "You Don't Need To Be Rich, You Just Need To Start" — Victoria Ezeigwe, Esq Launches Investment Handbook For Nigerians Starting With ₦5,000
Get your copy today and take the first step toward financial growth:
_______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
_______________________________________________________________________
