- Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Joe Ajaero had been ordered to present himself to the police or warrant arrest
- Police called the union’s leader concerning cases of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, others
- Subsequently, the union called for an urgent meeting, with attendance from all heads of affiliates and state chapters being compulsory
In light of the police's invitation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National President, Joe Ajaero, concerning claims of terrorism, the union had called for an emergency National Executive Council meeting.
According to a notice from Emmanuel Ugboaja, Secretary General of the NLC, attendance from all heads of affiliates and state chapters was required.
NLC calls for an emergency meeting
The notice read, “I bring you fraternal greetings from the congress headquarters.
“You are invited to the emergency National Executive Council Hybrid meeting scheduled as follows: Tuesday, August 20, 2024; 8 am. Olaitan Oyerinde Hall, Labour House.”
Ajaero was invited by the police on Monday, August 19, to discuss allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, significant felonies, subversion, and cybercrime.
Police summons Ajaero for terrorism financing, others
In the letter signed by Adamu Mu’azu and an Assistant Commissioner of Police, representing the Commissioner of Police Intelligence, it was made clear that the NLC president had a case to respond to.
Ajaero was ordered to present himself at the IRT Complex, Abbattoir by Guzape Junction at 10 am on Tuesday, or a warrant for his arrest would be pursued.
The letter read, “This office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime in which you have been implicated.
Ajaero ordered to report or get arrested
“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.”
According to Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, the invitation was tied to the recent raid on the union’s headquarters.
He said, “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 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 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,” he further stated.
Atiku, Obi, others react over raid of Labour headquarters
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) had claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) raided and removed some documents in the NLC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, August 7.
The alleged invasion prompted reactions from some statesmen, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party's presidential candidate Peter Obi; human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN; Amnesty International; and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).