By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Benue State Chapter, has issued a notice of a two-week warning strike action, citing the state government’s failure to harmonise the salaries of law officers with those of magistrates in the judiciary.

In a formal notice addressed to Governor Hyacinth Alia, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Benue State and other top government officials, signed by the Chairman Aondongu Nyamtamen and Secretary, Ri Amenger, the association said the warning strike would commence midnight Monday, January 12, 2026, and run through January 26, 2026, if its demands remain unresolved.

The association explained that the decision followed several engagements with the Benue State Government over the implementation of the Legal Officers (Harmonization of Conditions of Service with Magistrates, etc.) Law, Cap. 92, Laws of Benue State, 2004.

Part of the notice read: “We write on behalf of the entire members of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Benue State Chapter, to formally notify you of our intention to embark on a two weeks warning strike action should our demands remain unanswered.”

LOAN said its key demands included the harmonisation of the salaries of law officers in the Ministry of Justice with those of magistrates in the judiciary, in line with the provisions of the law, as well as the payment of arrears arising from the non-implementation of the harmonisation since December 2024.

According to the association, the proposed industrial action was meant to draw urgent attention to the lingering issues and compel swift government intervention.

“This warning strike is intended to draw urgent attention to the above issues and to encourage immediate resolution in the interest of justice and industrial harmony,” the notice read.

The association further expressed hope that the state government would use the window provided by the warning strike to address its grievances and avert a disruption of activities in the Ministry of Justice.

“We sincerely hope that the Government will seize this opportunity to address our grievances promptly and avert any disruption in the operations of the Ministry of Justice,” LOAN said.