The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Joe Ajaero, declined a police invitation on Tuesday, stating that he was unable to accept it because of other commitments.
Recall The News Chronicles reported that Ajaero received an invitation from the Nigerian police on Monday to respond to inquiries about “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
Nonetheless, the NLC President’s attorneys, Falana & Falana Chambers, sent a letter to the Nigeria Police on Tuesday explaining why the NLC President was unable to accept the invitation.
In a letter signed by Samuel Ogala, a principal partner in the Falana and Falana Chambers, stated, “We have the instruction of Comrade Joe Ajaero to inform you that he is unable to honour your invitation on Tuesday, 20th August, 2024, due to the fact that your invitation letter was received by him yesterday. He has an engagement that had been fixed before the receipt of the invitation letter.”
“Therefore, Comrade Ajaero is prepared for your invitation on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.”
“Furthermore, in accordance with the position of section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as altered, Comrade Ajaero requests for the details of the nature of the allegations of criminal conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime, levelled against him.”
In the meantime, the NLC declared that if anything happened to Joe Ajaero, it would organize its members for a large-scale demonstration that would include an industrial action.
The NLC declared that it will not think twice about taking all necessary steps, “including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement,” in a statement released during an emergency meeting on Tuesday.
“The NEC urges all civil society friends and the general public to stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress in this critical time. The fight against injustice and oppression is a collective one, and we urge all Nigerians to rise in defence of our shared democratic values,” the NLC stated in a bulletin issued by Sani Minjibir, its deputy president.
The workers union requested an extension of the time allotted to appear before it but stated that it is prepared to accept the invitation.
Ajaero was sent a directive by the police to report at the IRT Complex, Abbattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20th at 10:00. They also threatened to issue an arrest order for him if he did not comply with the invitation.
However, the labour union asked its members around the country to remain vigilant, branding the invitation as “witch hunting, intimidation, and harassment.”
The invitation is based on an unjustified and politically driven inquiry into claims of financing terrorism, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony, the congress stated.
With great concern, NLC observed that “the Nigeria Police has chosen to embark on this spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting, rather than extending the apology demanded by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies.”
The union claimed that the invitation was nothing more than a farce and a clear attempt to silence the voice of the working class and their leadership by the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution and Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
“As a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC will accept the invitation offered to its President by the Nigeria Police but will request an extension of time given the nature of the invitation. However, we would want to say unambiguously that this in no way legitimises the unfounded claims made against him.”
