BREAKING: ENUGU LAW OFFICERS BEGIN 7-DAY WARNING STRIKE OVER SALARY CUT, UNPAID ALLOWANCES

Law officers in Enugu State under the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Enugu State Chapter, have commenced a seven-day warning strike over alleged salary reductions, unpaid allowances and what they described as prolonged neglect of their welfare by the state government.

The industrial action began at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, and has affected official legal activities involving the state across courts, government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as correctional centres.

LOAN announced the strike in a statement titled “A Call For Justice For Law Officers Of Enugu State” and an accompanying strike notice signed by the chapter’s Chairman, K.P. Onyia, and Secretary, M.O. Onyeze.

According to the association, its members have been working under difficult financial and welfare conditions, with the situation allegedly worsening in 2020 when their salaries were reduced and hazard allowances were removed.

The law officers also alleged that the withdrawal of some allowances had forced members to use their personal funds to carry out official assignments on behalf of the state government.

The association said it had repeatedly raised the issues with the government through correspondence, representations and engagements but claimed that those efforts had not produced a satisfactory resolution.

LOAN listed six major demands that it wants the Enugu State Government to address. These include full harmonisation of law officers’ remuneration with that of magistrates and payment of members’ Bar Practising Fees.

The association is also demanding payment of members’ Annual Bar Conference fees, as well as the restoration and payment of transportation allowances, including outstanding arrears.

Other demands are the restoration and payment of hazard allowances and wardrobe allowances, together with arrears allegedly owed to members.

As part of the strike, LOAN directed state counsel working under the Ministry of Justice, government departments and liaison offices to immediately withdraw from official legal duties and suspend representation of the state.

The association specifically instructed its members not to attend court or visit correctional centres, police stations and other law-enforcement agencies in furtherance of official government duties during the warning strike.

The strike notice stated that the action would last for seven juridical days, with members in the Abuja and Lagos liaison offices, Government House and ministries, departments and agencies also directed not to conduct government business during the period.

LOAN said the industrial action was not solely about allowances but also concerned the professional status, dignity, remuneration and general welfare of law officers who provide legal services to the state.

The association urged the state government to use the seven-day warning period to address its demands and prevent the dispute from escalating into further industrial action.

The strike could affect the participation of state law officers in court proceedings and other official legal responsibilities during the period, particularly where government representation is required.

The Enugu State Government had not publicly provided a detailed response to the allegations at the time of the report. Street News Reporters understands that the Commissioner for Information, Malachy Agbo, did not respond to calls or a text message seeking the government’s position on the strike.

Street News Reporters reports that the dispute centres on the law officers’ claims of salary reductions, unpaid professional expenses and the withdrawal of key allowances, while the association has called on the government to resolve the issues during the warning-strike period.