Breaking: Law firm to sue CBN over alleged violation of employees’ rights to marry

…Petitions ONSA, Sultan, others
Luna Attorneys, a prominent legal firm, has issued an open challenge to the Central Bank of Nigeria over its marriage policy, alleging a violation of employees’ rights marry persons of their choice
In the letter addressed to Mr. Cardoso, the CBN Governor, Luna Attorneys raised concerns about the bank’s policy prohibiting staff from marrying each other while in service.
The law firm also threatened to sue the CBN should they proceed to enforce a policy prohibiting marriage between CBN staff.
In an open letter by Sadiq Abubakar Ilelah, Esq., a representative of the legal firm, they highlighted a stark contradiction between the Central Bank Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Luna Attorneys argued that this policy infringes upon individuals’ fundamental rights to freedom of religion and choice of spouse, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
The letter expressed strong opposition to the alleged actions of the Central Bank management, stating that all staff have the inherent right to choose their life partners without fear of persecution or retribution. Luna Attorneys emphasized that it is not the place of the Central Bank to dictate who its employees can and cannot marry. Moreover, they cited Article 16 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has ratified, protecting individuals’ rights to freedom of religion and choice of spouse. The attorneys firmly asserted that any law contradicting these rights cannot stand.
Copies of the open letter were shared with various stakeholders, namely the National Security Adviser, Senate President and Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. Others include Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto — Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar; Chairman Jamaatul Nasrul Islam and Chairman Jamaatu Izalatul Bid’a waiqamatussunnah. The rest are Chairman, Northern Elders Forum and The President, Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria.
According to Luna Attorneys, “this interference is not only a violation of human right but also a form of discrimination, which violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
The action of the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria on this issue does not only violate the teachings of our two major religions but truncate the marital choices of your staff. Instead, focus on creating a work environment that values diversity. Inclusivity, and respect or all individuals, which include freedom from discrimination, the management of your office are busy tempering with the rights of innocent citizens.
“Finally sir, let us work together to build a society that values the dignity and autonomy of all individuals. Let us reiect outdated notions of social control and embrace a future where everyone can live their lives with dignity and respect. While urging you to respect the rig its of your staff, we are ever ready to test the law on the validity or otherwise of the action of your management on this issue.”