By Chukwuemeka Umesi
Kindly share this news
The President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, has been invited by the police over alleged terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cybercrime and other related offences.
The police summon was signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, dated August 19, 2024.
The police, which warned that a warrant of arrest would be issued if Ajaero fails to comply, read: “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.”
A statement by the NLC Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Benson Upah, confirmed the invitation, linking this to the recent raid of the headquarters of the union. Upah said a personal message sent to Ajaero by SP Moshood said, “We were at the Labour House to submit this (letter of invitation) but the place was locked, sir”. According to him, the NLC disputed the message because staff were in the office beyond 6 pm. According to the NLC, “We also note that Comrade Joe Ajaero was not addressed by his official title of President of the Nigeria Labour Congress. “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 cl early 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.”