By Ademola Tijani
Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), along with its General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, are scheduled to appear before the Police Force Intelligence Department (FID) on September 25.
Ajaero had previously attended an earlier police invitation from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) over separate allegations including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, and cybercrime.
The latest invitation from the FID came via in a letter dated August 28 and signed by Commissioner of Police (OPS), CP Ibitoye Rufus Alajide, from the Office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, summoning Ajaero and Ugboaja for questioning over allegations of criminal intimidation, actions likely to disrupt public peace, and malicious property damage.
The letter directed: “You are requested to come along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), through the undersigned, at SPO’s Room 12, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja, on Thursday, 5th September 2024, at 11 a.m.”
It was later reported that the labour leaders did not appear on the scheduled date, having requested a postponement.
A source familiar with the case confirmed that Ajaero and Ugboaja informed the police of their unavailability.
“They notified investigators in writing, asking to reschedule the session to September 25,” the source told Daily Query.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, who represents Ajaero, confirmed the request for a new date, explaining that the NLC team asked for a different date “as Comrade Joe Ajaero had an engagement outside Abuja.”
In response to these developments, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday, September 4 where it was decided that members mobilize for a one-day prayer session and rally at the police headquarters in each state to express solidarity with the leadership.
The NEC also directed workers to refrain from work activities during the period of police questioning, until the “unfortunate” interrogation is concluded. Workers in Abuja are to gather at the NLC national headquarters by 8:00 a.m. to participate in a peaceful march to the Police Headquarters.
“We will not be silenced, and we will ensure the truth is made known to the public, both locally and internationally,” the NEC declared.
In a communiqué signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the NEC condemned the police invitation, describing it as provocative and part of ongoing intimidation and harassment by the Nigerian government aimed at undermining the labour movement and its leadership.
The NEC also recalled a previous security raid on the NLC national headquarters as part of this alleged campaign.
The labour leaders decried these actions as reckless, unacceptable, and an attack on the labour movement and workers’ rights. They emphasized that the government’s actions violate the Nigerian Constitution and International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, which protect the rights to freedom of association and organization.
The NEC called on the government to immediately cease what it described as shameful and illegal harassment of the NLC and its leaders.
