In a significant development, Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero has been summoned by the Nigerian Police Force for investigation over allegations of terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cybercrime, and other related offenses.
The invitation was conveyed in a letter dated August 19, 2024, signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team.
The police cautioned that a warrant for Ajaero’s arrest would be issued if he fails to comply.
The letter reads: “This office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime in which you have been implicated.
“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.”
“The recent raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is far from a closed chapter,” Upah remarked.
Before the raid, the Congress had urged the government to engage in dialogue with the protest organizers, emphasizing that the NLC was not involved in the protest. The Congress also criticized the police for the high casualty rate during the demonstration.
In its NEC communiqué following the raid, the NLC expressed outrage at the police’s conduct and demanded an apology from both the police and the government. During a world press conference last Thursday, the NLC raised concerns, stating that if anything were to happen to its leadership or any of its members, the police should be held responsible.
The question on everyone’s mind now is, who is trying to sideline Joe Ajaero?
Raid on NLC Headquarters
Channels Television reports that this incident occurred more than a week after the NLC headquarters in Abuja was raided by security operatives.
Following the raid, the police claimed that the operation was conducted to search for incriminating documents related to an international “subversive” element that poses a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on August 12, 2024, stated that the suspect was allegedly being housed by the NLC in one of its floors at the raided complex.
However, the NLC leadership rejected the police’s explanation for the raid, demanding an unreserved apology. Addressing journalists at the NLC Secretariat in Abuja last Thursday, Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs Benson Upah called the police’s claim of tracing a suspected international criminal to the building “laughable.”
The NLC also challenged the police to provide evidence of any connection between the union and the alleged criminal.
