Kano Govt Lawyers Down Tools Over Welfare Dispute
•By Admin
KANO —— LAWYERS working with the Kano State Ministry of Justice have downed tools over a welfare dispute with the state government, effectively shutting down activities at the ministry.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, saw the lawyers lock the entrance to the ministry, preventing staff and other workers from accessing the premises.
The industrial action follows growing frustration among the government lawyers over what they described as the non-payment of their statutory allowances and other work-related entitlements.
The aggrieved lawyers said the benefits are provided for by law but have allegedly not been implemented by the authorities.
Chairman of the association of the state counsel, Abdullahi Aminu Shamsu, announced the commencement of the indefinite strike, noting that members had endured the situation for a long time without any meaningful response from the government.
Abdullahi Aminu Shamsu explained that several meetings had been held with government officials to address the matter, but the discussions failed to produce any concrete outcome.
He stated that the lawyers had no option but to withdraw their services until their demands are met.
The striking lawyers maintained that the action would continue indefinitely, stressing that the Ministry of Justice would remain closed until the state government fulfills its obligations regarding their welfare and allowances.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude (SAN), confirmed that discussions had taken place between the government and the leadership of the lawyers’ association in a bid to resolve the dispute.
However, sources close to the negotiations indicated that the talks have yet to yield a breakthrough, leaving uncertainty over when the lawyers will return to work and when normal activities will resume at the ministry.
•INDEPENDENTNG.