Police authorities in Nigeria have summoned the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, for interrogation over allegations bordering on terrorism financing, cybercrime, and other related offences.
The Police noted that the invitation extended to Mr Ajaero was to help in an ongoing investigation in which the NLC President had been implicated by suspects arrested by the Force.
The police also warned that failure to comply with the summons could result in the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.
The invitation letter signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team and dated 19th August 2024, reads, “This office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime in which you have been implicated.
“You are therefore required to report to the undersigned for an interview on Tuesday, 20th August 2024, at 10:00 hrs prompt, at Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja, through the Team Leader on telephone no 08035179870, in connection with the above investigation.
“Be informed that if you fail to honour this letter, this office will have no choice but to issue a warrant for your arrest.”
Meanwhile, confirming the invitation in a statement, the NLC spokesman, Benson Upah, linked the invitation to the recent raid of the union’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said a personal message sent to Ajaero by SP Moshood said, “We were at the Labour House to submit this (letter of invitation) but the place was locked, sir”.
Also, according to Mr Upah, the union finds the message disturbing because staff were in the office beyond 6pm.
“We also note that Comrade Joe Ajaero was not addressed by his official title of President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Clearly, the last has not been heard about the raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Preceding the raid, Congress had advised the government to dialogue with the organisers of the protest even as Congress had cl early stated it was not part of the protest.
“Congress criticised the police for the high casualty rate during the protest.
“Congress in its NEC communique after the raid expressed outrage at the behaviour of the police and demanded an apology from both the police and government.
“At its world press conference last Thursday, Congress had raised an alarm that should anything happen. to the leadership of the Congress or any of its members, the police should be held accountable.
“The question on the lips of those in the know is, who wants Joe Ajaero out of circulation.”
This is coming amid the face-off between the NLC and the government. The Union, recently accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of targeting the organization, particularly after a raid on its headquarters by security operatives.
During a press briefing held last Thursday in Abuja, NLC leaders outrightly rejected the explanation given by the police for the raid, which was allegedly aimed at arresting a so called international terrorist suspect.
The NLC described the justification as a cover-up and pointed out inconsistencies in the police’s narrative.
The Union demanded an apology from the government, the return of seized items, and the release of detained individuals.
Also, the union condemned what it perceives as government attempts to meddle in its internal affairs, including a proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders.
The NLC argued that such actions are in violation of labour laws and international conventions.
As the situation unfolds, the NLC’s leadership has vowed to resist any government actions that threaten the autonomy and rights of the labour movement in Nigeria.