By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN) has declared its full support for the Kwara State Chapter, warning that law officers across the federation may embark on a nationwide industrial action over the state government’s reported threat to enforce a “no work, no pay” policy against striking members.
In a letter made available to newsmen on Friday in Ilorin, signed by the National President, Barr. Ernest Edomwonyi, and the Secretary-General, Barr. Adesoji Afolabi, the union said it received with “deep concern” the notice of industrial action from its Kwara chapter.
The National body threatened to embark on nationwide strike action if the Kwara Government fails to meet the workers’ demands.
They explained that the strike was triggered by the Kwara Government’s continued failure to address several longstanding welfare issues affecting law officers.
According to LOAN, the outstanding demands include: “Payment of the 50 per cent outstanding Furniture Allowance for 2020; Full payment of the 2024 outstanding Furniture Allowance; Payment of Robe Allowances for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
“Full implementation of the harmonisation of salaries and allowances and general conditions of service of State Counsel with those of Magistrates in the Kwara State Judiciary, in line with the 2005 harmonisation approval,” they said.
The union described the demands as legitimate, reasonable and necessary for the effective functioning of the state’s justice delivery system.
According to the statement, law officers are critical stakeholders whose welfare should not be neglected.
“NEC identifies with the struggle of Law Officers in Kwara, as their demands are legitimate and reasonable in all circumstances and are intended to ensure their effective and continued participation in the State’s justice delivery system as critical stakeholders,” they said.
The union further stated that the struggle of Kwara law officers was not isolated but represented a collective fight for the rights of law officers nationwide.
“The Law Officers in Kwara State, and indeed across the Federation, must be appreciated and given their fair dues.
“The struggle by Kwara Law Officers is a collective one, one that all Law Officers in the Federation will not shy away from and will not hesitate to join should their demands not be acceded to by the Kwara State Government,” they said.
However, the NEC announced that it had formally endorsed the industrial action embarked upon by the Kwara Chapter until all the workers’ demands are fully met.
It also urged the Kwara Government, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and the Head of Service to urgently commence sincere negotiations with the union to end the impasse.
Similarly, the national body directed all state chapters of LOAN across Nigeria to remain on standby pending further directives on whether to join the industrial action if the Kwara Government fails to resolve the dispute.
The union pledged to continue monitoring developments in the state and vowed to take further lawful collective action if necessary.
In his reaction to the development, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin Branch, Barr. Jimoh Muhammad, pledged support on the ongoing industrial action by the LOAN, Kwara Chapter.
He condemned the threat of “no work, no pay” policy invoked by the State Government’s against the striking law officers.
The NBA chairman described the government’s position as “undemocratic,” insisting that workers cannot be punished simply for demanding what they believe are their legitimate rights under the law.
According to him, dialogue, not threats or punitive measures, remains the only path to resolving the crisis.
He disclosed that the NBA had already formally intervened by writing to the State Governor, the Head of Service, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, while also copying the Chief Judge of the state.
According to him, the Association had consistently advocated dialogue as the appropriate mechanism for resolving the dispute.
“NBA has written letters to the Governor, to the Head of Service, the Attorney General, and we have also copied the Chief Judge. But the unfortunate development that happened yesterday is quite unexpected and is something that to me is a bit undemocratic,” he said.
Muhammad criticised the government’s reported threat to enforce a “no work, no pay” policy against the striking law officers, stressing that workers have a constitutional and democratic right to seek improved welfare and working conditions.
According to him, the workers have right to ask for what they presumed to be their right and that they are entitled to it.
“But in asking for their rights, the government should not use that as a tool to punish the injured persons,” he said.
The NBA chairman observed that the law officers had made enormous sacrifices in the discharge of their duties to the state, particularly those handling criminal prosecutions, often placing themselves in dangerous situations while carrying out official assignments.
Muhammad who clarified that the NBA could not legally participate in the strike, however assured that the association would continue defending the interests of the law officers.