Law officers in Enugu State under the aegis of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Enugu State Chapter, have commenced a seven-day warning strike over alleged salary cuts, unpaid allowances and what they described as prolonged neglect by the state government
The industrial action, which took effect at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, has affected official legal activities across courts, government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as correctional centres in the state.
The association announced the strike in an official statement titled, “A Call For Justice For Law Officers Of Enugu State,” and an accompanying strike notice signed by its Chapter Chairman and Secretary, Comrades K.P. Onyia Esq. and M.O. Onyeze Esq., respectively.
The law officers said they had been forced to work under harsh and impoverishing conditions, alleging that the situation worsened in 2020 when their salaries were reduced and their hazard allowances completely removed.
According to the association, the withdrawal of the allowances had also forced some officers to use their personal funds to carry out official government assignments.
“These are not issues that have suddenly emerged. Series of correspondences, representations and engagements have been made to the Government over time, drawing attention to these concerns and seeking meaningful intervention,” the law officers stated.
“Sadly, these efforts have yielded no satisfactory resolution.”
The association said its demands were aimed at addressing what it described as longstanding disparities in the remuneration and welfare of state law officers.
According to the strike notice dated September 30, 2026, LOAN listed six core demands.
They include: “Full Harmonization of Law Officers’ remuneration with those of Magistrates. Payment of members’ Bar Practicing Fees.
“Payment of members’ Annual Bar Conference fees. Full restoration and payment of Law Officers’ transportation allowance (together with arrears).
“Full restoration and payment of Law Officers’ hazard allowance (together with arrears). Full restoration and payment of Law Officers’ wardrobe allowance (together with arrears).”
To enforce the industrial action, LOAN directed all state counsel under the Ministry of Justice, government departments and liaison offices to immediately down tools and suspend official legal representation on behalf of the state.
The association specifically directed its members to stay away from courts, correctional centres, police stations and other law enforcement agencies in furtherance of official duties during the strike.
The notice stated: Therefore, Law Officers of Enugu State are to proceed on a 7-day warning strike from 12am on Friday, 2nd October 2026 for 7 juridical days. During this period, no Law Officer in Abuja or Lagos Liaison Offices, Government House or any MDA shall be on duty, attend Court, or visit any Correctional Centre or Police and/or other Law Enforcement Agency in furtherance of any official duty; work from home or do anything on Government business pursuant to our collective resolution. We hope that this brief period will enable the authorities to do the needful.”
The association said the action was not simply about allowances but also about the professional status and welfare of law officers responsible for providing legal services to the state.
“This is not merely about allowances. It is about fairness, professional dignity, appropriate remuneration and the welfare of those who serve the State,” the officers added.
“A just system must care for those who administer justice.”
The law officers urged the state government to address their demands, saying the warning strike was intended to draw attention to the issues and encourage the authorities to take necessary action.
SaharaReporters contacted the Enugu State Government for its reaction to the industrial action.
However, Commissioner for Information Malachy Agbo did not answer calls or respond to a text message seeking the government’s position on the strike as of the time of filing this report.