The Kwara State chapter of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria has appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to harmonise the salaries and allowances of state counsel with those of magistrates serving in the state judiciary.
The request followed the state government’s approval of outstanding financial entitlements owed to the law officers, including furniture and robe allowances. The association welcomed those payments but said salary harmonisation remained unresolved.
The issue previously led the law officers to embark on industrial action after an ultimatum over outstanding welfare demands expired. Their withdrawal of legal services affected ministries, departments and agencies across the state.
State counsel perform functions central to public administration: prosecuting offences, representing government institutions, preparing legal opinions and defending public interests in litigation.
The dispute therefore raises a broader justice-sector question about whether lawyers undertaking substantial public legal responsibilities should operate under conditions markedly different from judicial officers working within the same justice system.
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