ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – President ,Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has said he would honour the invitation by the Nigeria Police at the Police Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday next week.
Ajaero who was scheduled to be at the police headquaters today over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, and treason slammed oh him by the force cited some reasons for failing to honour the invitation .
He stated that he would be available to meet with the Police on Wednesday, August 29, 2024, insisting that he had prior commitments for today.
The police had summoned Ajaero on Monday for questioning pertaining to accusations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, and other charges.
The summon which was issued in a letter from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, and signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Adamu S. Muazu, warned that failure to attend could result in arrest.
However, Ajaero, through his lawyer from Falana Chambers, yesterday, conveyed his willingness to respond to all inquiries about the allegations at the rescheduled meeting.
Additionally, the letter, signed by Samuel Ogala, Principal Partner at Falana Chambers, indicated that Ajaero was demanding more details regarding the allegations lodged against him.
“We are solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress and its President, Joe Ajaero, on whose behalf we write this letter in respect of the above subject matter.
“We have the instructions of Ajaero to inform you that he is unable to honour your invitation on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in view of the fact that your invitation letter was received by him yesterday (Monday).
“He has an engagement that had been fixed before the receipt of the invitation letter. Therefore, he is prepared for your interview on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.
“Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered, Ajaero requests the details and nature of the allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime levelled against him.
“While awaiting your positive response to this letter, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem,” the letter read.
However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has earlier instructed its members across the country to initiate an indefinite strike in case Ajaero and other labour leaders invited were detained.
A communique released after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC, yesterday, condemned the accusations, describing them as politically motivated and a clear attempt to intimidate the labour leader and undermine Congress’ role.
In the document signed by its Deputy President, Ado Sani Minjibir, the Congress said that it had resolved to honour the police invitation but demanded an extension due to the nature of the allegations.
It strongly denounced the ongoing harassment against the Congress and its members, saying it was aimed at weakening the labour movement.
“The NEC notes with grave concern that rather than extending the demands by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police have chosen to embark on this spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting.
“This is nothing but a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people and their leadership, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98.
“In light of this, the NEC of the NLC resolves as follows: We shall honour the invitation. As a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honour the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand for extension of time given the nature of the invitation. However, we wish to state unequivocally that this does not in any way legitimise the baseless allegations levelled against him.
“The NEC warns the state to desist from its evil intentions and stop the ongoing witch-hunt against the leaders of the Congress forthwith. The Congress will not sit idly by while the rights and freedoms of its members and leaders are trampled upon with impunity by the state.
“The NEC directs all affiliates and state councils to immediately commence the process of mobilising their members across the nation. The Congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement. If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the Congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the state; NEC puts all its affiliates and state councils to proceed on indefinite nationwide strike.
“The NEC calls on all civil society allies and the general populace to stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress in this critical moment. 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 communique read in parts
