The Presidency on Tuesday explained that Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, was picked up by the Department of State Service (DSS) because he shunned an invitation from a law enforcement agency undertaking an investigation.
This is contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) in which it rejected what it called the false claims about human rights abuses and violations in Nigeria made by the Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom at the opening of its conference in London on Tuesday.
Ajaero was on his way out of the country to attend the conference before his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The statement said: “Ajaero, who probably considers himself above the law, was slated to speak at the same conference where the UK TUC leader attacked Nigeria. His actions, however, have serious consequences, as no one is above the law in Nigeria.
“Clearly, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), no person is above the summons of law enforcement agencies and lawful investigation. Like the United Kingdom and other civilised nations, Nigeria is a country of law governed by the Constitution.
“We are not aware that there is anyone in the United Kingdom or anywhere in Europe and the United States, trade union leaders inclusive, who will flagrantly ignore the invitation or summons of MI5 or Scotland Yard or treat the FBI with the level of disdain Mr Ajaero has subjected law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.”
According to the statement, “the Nigerian government was wrongly and falsely accused of rights abuse because the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, was stopped from travelling abroad after he snubbed the invitation of a law enforcement agency conducting an ongoing investigation.”
The Presidency observed that in the United States, for example, former President Donald Trump has been the subject of numerous investigations and prosecutions in courts in several states since he left office. Mr. Hunter Biden, son of the President of the United States, has been the subject of a lawful investigation by the FBI.
The statement added: “We, therefore, reject any notion and allusion to human rights violations in Nigeria. The accusations made by the Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom are, thus, unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of the situation.
“Besides, the Nigerian government is being led by a pro-democracy activist president who will do everything to protect civil liberties and the rights of all citizens.
“There is no adversarial relationship between the Labour Movement in Nigeria and the government.
“While labour unions and the government may not always agree on policy direction, the government has consistently shown readiness to engage on any issue with labour despite the latter’s political partisanship.
“Contrary to the erroneous impression being created, the invitation extended by the Department of State Services to Mr. Ajaero has nothing to do with his role as the President of NLC.
“As a responsible citizen of Nigeria, Mr Ajaero should honour any invitation from our security agencies and resolve any issues that may arise during the investigation instead of stirring adverse public opinion against the security agencies.
