Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have invaded the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, according to a post on SERAP’s X.
The post on SERAP’s X handle read: “Officers from Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) are presently unlawfully occupying SERAP’s office in Abuja, asking to see our directors.
“President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians.”
A nonprofit, nonpartisan, legal and advocacy organisation devoted to promoting transparency, accountability and respect for socio-economic rights in Nigeria, SERAP had barely 24 hours ago, urged President Bola Tinubu to leverage his leadership and authority to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to promptly reverse the seemingly illegal and unconstitutional hike in the pump price of premium motor spirit, commonly known as petrol, at its retail outlets.
NNPCL had last Tuesday announced an increase in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol.
The hike took the pump price for petrol from N617/litre to N897/liter, depending on location.
It only took a short statement from the NNPCL to effect the new price regime.
The release stated, “This is to inform you that NNPC Retail Management has approved upward review of PMS pump price from N617/itre to N897/liter effective today, 3rd September, 2024. Please ensure all your pumps and totems (price boards)/MIDs reflect the new PMS price of N897/liter. Thank you”.
The invasion of SERAP’s took place about the same time as the DSS arrested the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, earlier in the day.
Ajaero was on his way to attend the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference set to begin today, Monday September 9, in London, the UK.
According to Benson Upah, the NLC’s spokesperson, Ajaero had made preparations for his participation in the London conference, but his arrest halted his travel plans.
Reports suggest that after his arrest, he was transferred to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) for further interrogation and investigation.
This arrest comes just days after Ajaero had met with law enforcement authorities, accompanied by his legal counsel, Femi Falana.
He has been under investigation for a range of serious allegations, including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
The specifics of the charges remain unclear, but they paint a troubling picture of the level of scrutiny Ajaero has been facing in recent times.
It remains uncertain if Ajaero’s arrest is directly linked to the second invitation for questioning that had been extended to him by the police.
This invitation was communicated through an official letter dated August 28, 2024, and signed by Commissioner of Police Rufus Alajide, acting on behalf of a deputy inspector general at the Force Intelligence Department.
The letter outlined concerns regarding an investigation into accusations of criminal intimidation, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to property, all of which allegedly involved Ajaero.
