By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
The Nigeria Police Force has invited Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in connection with an ongoing investigation into serious criminal allegations, including terrorism financing.
The invitation is part of a broader probe into alleged criminal conspiracy, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
A letter of invitation, issued by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Mu’azu, directed Ajaero to appear for an interview at the IRT Complex in Abuja on Aug. 20, at 10:00 AM.
Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs said in a statement on Monday that the current invitation in linked to the current raid of the National Secretariat of the NLC.
The letter indicated that Ajaero was mentioned in the ongoing investigation, and failure to honour the invitation could lead to the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.
This development follows a raid conducted by the police last week on the Nigeria Labour Congress headquarters in Abuja.
The raid, which targeted the second floor of the NLC complex, was reportedly carried out to search for incriminating documents that could link the labour organization to international elements allegedly involved in subversive activities against Nigeria’s democracy.
The police maintained that the raid and the ongoing investigation are necessary to safeguard national security and uphold the rule of law.
However, the NLC and other civil society organizations have expressed concern over what they perceive as an attempt to intimidate labour leaders and suppress dissenting voices in the country.
They have also threatened a nationwide strike action if the police does not tender an apology.
The full NLC statement, “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, reasonable felony, subversion and cyber crime.”
“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 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.”
