Staff Reporter
The Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) has expressed concern over reported threats of sanctions against members of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Kano State Branch, following the association’s decision to embark on an indefinite strike.
LOAN had announced plans to begin the strike at midnight on Tuesday, citing years of unresolved grievances and what it described as the Kano State Government’s failure to honour previous commitments made to its members.
The Chairman of the association, Barrister Aminu Abdullahi Shams, disclosed the decision while addressing journalists in Kano.
He explained that the industrial action became unavoidable after prolonged neglect and unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issues through dialogue with state authorities.
According to him, the decision was reached during the association’s general congress held on 9 March 2026, where members unanimously resolved to invoke the provisions of Sections 41 and 42 of the Trade Disputes Act, 1976, to commence the indefinite strike.
LOAN listed several longstanding concerns affecting its members, including the non-payment of salaries and allowances comparable to those received by their counterparts in neighbouring Jigawa State, the failure to pay fringe benefit allowances since 2017, and the continued denial of other statutory entitlements such as domestic servant allowances.
Reacting to the development, CEFSAN said the grievances raised by the law officers reflect legitimate labour and welfare concerns that deserve urgent and constructive attention from the Kano State Government.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, the organization emphasized that the Law Officers Association of Nigeria, Kano State Branch, has a constitutional right to embark on strike as part of the freedoms of association and expression guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The group warned that any attempt by the state authorities to sanction members of the association would amount to an authoritarian move aimed at suppressing lawful dissent.
CEFSAN further noted that such intimidation would undermine democratic principles, the rule of law, and the constitutional rights of legal professionals who are entitled to demand fair treatment and improved working conditions.
It therefore urged the Kano State Government to refrain from any form of intimidation or punitive action against members of LOAN and instead engage the association in meaningful dialogue to address the issues that led to the strike.
CEFSAN stressed that a democratic government must protect civil liberties, including the right of workers and professionals to organize and take lawful industrial action, noting that these rights are essential to justice, accountability and good governance.
It added that it would continue to monitor the situation closely while remaining committed to defending human rights, the rule of law and the constitutional freedoms of all citizens.
