Kwara lawyers begin indefinite strike over unpaid allowances

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Law officers in the Kwara State Ministry of Justice have commenced an indefinite strike over the alleged non-payment of outstanding statutory allowances and the failure of the state government to harmonise their salaries and conditions of service with those of magistrates in the state judiciary.

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The industrial action was announced by the Law Officers Association of Nigeria, Kwara State Chapter, in a notice made available to PUNCH Online in Ilorin on Monday.

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The notice, signed by the association’s Acting Chairman, Kehinde Ayorinde, directed members to immediately withdraw their services pending the government’s response to their demands.

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Ayorinde said, “Please, take notice that LOAN, Kwara State Chapter, commences her indefinite strike action today, July 27, 2026, until the government responds to her demands.

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“Members would therefore suspend all official duties till further notice.”

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The strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued by the association to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over unresolved welfare concerns.

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The association had accused the state government of failing to pay the outstanding balance of its members’ 2020 furniture allowance, robe allowances for 2024, 2025 and 2026, and implement the long-approved harmonisation of salaries, allowances and conditions of service for state counsel with those of magistrates.

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The law officers said repeated appeals to the governor and the Office of the Head of Service had failed to yield results, despite assurances given after a three-day warning strike in October 2025.

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The association maintained that its members play critical roles in the administration of justice, including prosecuting criminal cases, providing legal advice to government agencies, drafting bills and recovering public revenue through the prosecution of tax defaulters.

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It warned in its earlier notice that it would proceed on an indefinite strike if the government failed to address its demands before the expiration of the ultimatum.

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