THE NIGERIA Labour Congress (NLC) has once again raised alarm over the continuing intimidation and seeming clampdown on Nigeria’s foremost labour centre since the nationwide hunger protests of August 1-10, 2024.
In a statement Monday evening by Comrade Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs, the NLC revealed that its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has been invited to appear before the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force, Abuja over alleged investigation of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.
The letter of invitation, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Adamu S. Mu’zu, on behalf of Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of IRT, alleged that Comrade Ajaero’s name was mentioned in the course of “investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion and Cybercrime”.
The press statement, made available to National Record reads in full:
“Press Statement
“19/08/24
“AJAERO INVITED BY THE POLICE FOR TERRORISM AND RELATED INVESTIGATION
“The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero has been invited by the Nigeria Police Force for “interview” on charges connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime”.
“The letter of invitation signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of Commissioner of Police Intelligence dated August 19, 2024, says Ajaero’s name was mentioned in on-going investigations connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion and cyber crime”.
“Accordingly, the letter directed Ajaero to report at the IRT Complex, Abbattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20th at 10:00 threatening that a warrant of arrest would be issued against him if he failed to report.
“A personal message sent to Comrade Joe Ajaero by SP Moshood said, “We were at the Labour House to submit this (letter of invitation) but the place was locked sir”.
“We find this curious 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 government to dialogue with the organisers of the protest even as Congress had clearly 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 for 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.
“Benson Upah
“Head of Information and Public Affairs”
