Lawyers Accuse Kwara Government Of Intimidation Over Indefinite

The Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Kwara State Ministry of Justice chapter, has accused the state government of intimidation and victimisation over its decision to issue a “no work, no pay” directive to state counsels currently on indefinite strike.

The association said the state government has failed to engage its members in meaningful negotiations over their demands, which include the payment of outstanding allowances, salary harmonisation and improved conditions of service.

LOAN made its position known in a letter dated July 31, 2026, addressed to the acting state head of service.

The letter, signed by the association’s Chairman, Ayorinde K. M., and Secretary, Tolulope Pelumi Oniyide, was titled: “Re: A 7-day notice of indefinite strike: Refutation of your wrong assertion about the strike action embarked upon by state counsel.”

The association was responding to an earlier letter from the office of the head of service dated July 30, 2026, with reference number HS/CON/133/VOL.1/29.

LOAN rejected the state government’s claim that it has taken steps to address the grievances of state counsel before the commencement of the industrial action.

The association said that for about three years, the state government has failed to take concrete steps to resolve the issues despite several letters of appeal and requests for intervention.

According to the lawyers, the only documents requested by the office of the head of service were the breakdowns of the 2020 and 2024 furniture allowances, documents relating to the 2025 salary harmonisation and approval for the payment of 50 per cent of the 2020 furniture allowance.

LOAN said the documents were supplied for clarification purposes and should not be construed as evidence of negotiations between the government and the association.

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The lawyers also disputed the state government’s account of a meeting held on July 29, saying it was not convened to negotiate an end to the strike.

The association said the permanent secretary, service welfare, informed participants that labour leaders had been invited to witness an announcement that an “approval in principle” had allegedly been secured on the demands of state counsel.

LOAN said its representatives repeatedly requested details of the purported approval but were not given any.

The association expressed particular concern over the “no work, no pay” directive, which it said was issued less than 24 hours after the meeting.

It described the directive as an attempt to intimidate its members into abandoning their industrial action

The association said: “This action directed to us is tantamount to threat and victimisation in order to force our members to call off the strike by all means and abandon the agitation for payment of our statutory entitlements.”

The lawyers further maintained that the state government had not demonstrated sufficient commitment to the welfare of state counsel despite repeated appeals for improved remuneration and working conditions.

LOAN said its members had resorted to industrial action only after several attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue had failed.

The association insisted that the strike was lawful, saying it had complied with the statutory requirements before declaring the indefinite industrial action.

Its demands include payment of outstanding allowances, harmonisation of salaries and improved conditions of service, including parity with Magistrates and Area Court Judges.

The association said the strike became inevitable after years of what it described as unanswered appeals to the state government.

The dispute has further widened the gap between the Kwara State government and state counsel, with LOAN insisting that the state government must engage its members in genuine negotiations rather than use punitive measures to end the strike.