…Nationwide Solidarity Action Looms As State Chapters Remain On Standby
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The Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, has cautioned the Kwara State Government against invoking the “no work, no pay” rule against law officers who embarked on an indefinite strike over unpaid allowances and the non-harmonisation of their conditions of service.
Chairman of the branch, Saad Jimoh Muhammad, described the reported threat as undemocratic and urged the government to resolve the dispute through dialogue rather than punitive measures capable of worsening the crisis.
The intervention came as the National Executive Council of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria declared full support for the industrial action and directed its chapters across the country to remain on standby for possible nationwide solidarity action if the Kwara Government failed to address the workers’ demands.
Muhammad said the NBA had been involved in efforts to resolve the dispute since the indefinite strike began on Monday, July 27, 2026, noting that the industrial action was particularly troubling considering the country’s difficult economic situation.
He disclosed that the branch had written to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the state Head of Service and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, while also copying the Chief Judge of Kwara State.
According to him, the correspondence proposed dialogue between the state government and the leadership of the striking law officers as the most effective way to resolve the outstanding welfare issues.
The NBA chairman, however, said the reported threat to withhold the salaries of the striking lawyers was unexpected and could not provide a meaningful solution to the dispute.
He maintained that workers are legally entitled to seek improved welfare and working conditions and should not be punished merely for pressing claims they consider legitimate.
Muhammad said the government should address the substance of the law officers’ complaints rather than deploy the “no work, no pay” policy as a weapon against workers who believe they have suffered longstanding neglect.
He also expressed disappointment over a letter reportedly issued by the Head of Service to the leadership of the association, arguing that its contents did not address the underlying issues responsible for the strike.
“The only thing that can solve this situation is dialogue,” he said, urging both parties to meet and negotiate an amicable settlement.
Muhammad drew attention to the sacrifices made by government lawyers, particularly those responsible for prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of the state.
He said some law officers travel in commercial vehicles while handling suspects and other dangerous assignments, exposing themselves to considerable personal risks in the discharge of their official responsibilities.
According to him, their contribution to the administration of justice should compel the government to treat their welfare complaints seriously and avoid measures that could further demoralise them.
The NBA chairman clarified that the Bar could not legally join the industrial action because it was not a labour union involved in the employment relationship between the law officers and the state government.
He nevertheless assured the striking lawyers that the NBA would continue speaking in their defence and advocating for an acceptable resolution of their grievances.
Muhammad said he had also planned a private meeting with the Kwara State Head of Service as part of efforts to facilitate negotiations and prevent the disruption of legal services from continuing.
He reaffirmed the Ilorin Branch’s support for the law officers and urged the state government to consider the wider effect of the strike on criminal prosecutions, civil cases, government legal advice and the general administration of justice.
The national leadership of LOAN, in a letter dated July 29, 2026, also endorsed the strike and described the demands of the Kwara law officers as legitimate, reasonable and necessary for the effective functioning of the state’s justice system.
The letter, referenced LOAN/National/048, was signed by the association’s National President, Ernest U. Edomwonyi, and Secretary-General, Adesoji A. A.
The association said the Kwara chapter’s demands included payment of the outstanding 50 per cent balance of the 2020 furniture allowance, full payment of the 2024 furniture allowance and payment of robe allowances for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
The law officers are also demanding the full implementation of the harmonisation of salaries, allowances and general conditions of service of state counsel with those of magistrates in the Kwara State Judiciary, in accordance with an approval dating back to 2005.
LOAN said the welfare of law officers should not be neglected because they remain critical stakeholders in the administration of justice and the day-to-day legal operations of state governments.
It declared that the dispute was no longer solely a matter involving the Kwara chapter, describing it as a collective struggle concerning law officers across the federation.
The national association warned that its members in other states would not hesitate to join the industrial action if the Kwara Government failed to meet the demands of the striking workers.
Its National Executive Council consequently endorsed the indefinite strike and directed all state chapters to remain on standby pending further instructions.
LOAN also called on Governor AbdulRazaq, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and the Head of Service to immediately commence sincere negotiations with the union to end the impasse.
The indefinite strike began on July 27 following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum that ran from July 20 to 26.
The notice was signed by the acting chairman of the Kwara chapter, Kehinde Ayorinde, who directed members to suspend all official duties until the government responded to their demands.
The association said it had made several representations to the governor and the Office of the Head of Service without obtaining the desired response.
It recalled that members had previously embarked on a three-day warning strike between October 27 and 29, 2025, but suspended the action after receiving assurances from the Head of Service and organised labour that their grievances would be addressed.
The law officers alleged that those assurances remained unfulfilled despite subsequent letters and engagements with the government.
They maintained that their responsibilities extend beyond appearing in court and include drafting executive bills, advising ministries and government agencies, vetting contracts, prosecuting tax defaulters, recovering public revenue, addressing gender-based violence and providing legal services to indigent residents.
The strike has resulted in the withdrawal of those services from the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, with the law officers insisting that they will not return to work until the government takes concrete steps to address their demands.
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