NLC kicks as police investigate Ajaero for terrorism financing

The Nigeria Labour Congress on Monday evening confirmed the invitation of its President, Joe Ajaero, by the police over issues bordering alleged terrorism financing.

The spokesperson for the congress, Benson Upah, made this known in a statement he signed and made available to our correspondent.

This newspaper earlier reported on Monday that Ajaero was invited by the police for an “interview” on charges connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime”.

The letter of invitation, dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Intelligence, said Ajaero’s name was mentioned in ongoing investigations connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime”.

Protesters lament the deteriorating situation of the country as hunger protest continue. | Punch0:03 / 1:01

Accordingly, the letter directed Ajaero to report at the IRT Complex, Abbattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20 at 10 am, threatening that a warrant of arrest would be issued against him if he failed to report.

Speaking in the statement, Upah said, “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 6 pm. 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, the Congress had advised the government to have a dialogue with the organisers of the (hunger) protest even as the congress had clearly stated it was not part of the protest.

“The congress criticised the police for the high casualty rate during the protest. The 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 the government.

“At its world press conference last Thursday, the congress had raised the 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?”

On July 7, security agents conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.

According to the NLC spokesperson, Upah, the operatives burst into the building at about 8.30 pm and arrested the security guards, forcing them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor.

Upah said, “The security operatives, some from the Nigeria Police Force, some wearing black tee-shirts, presumably from the Department of State Services, and others on outright mufti, swooped on the 10th Floor of the NLC and arrested the security operative on duty and then commandeered him to the second floor where he was asked to produce the keys to the offices.”

The police took responsibility for the operation, saying it was aimed at uncovering incriminating documents that could help build a case against an international “subversive” figure considered a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Last week, the NLC rejected the explanation offered by the police on the raid and demanded the release of its arrested members and seized documents.

The NLC also criticized government attempts to interfere with the organisation’s internal affairs, including a proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders.