Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has described police actions against the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) as desperate attempts to incriminate, silence, and blackmail labour.
In a statement signed by Executive Director CISLAC/Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the cso expressed deep concern over the police actions.
On August 7, 2024, heavily armed security forces stormed the NLC complex shortly after a National Executive Council meeting where members criticized police tactics during #EndBadGovernance protests.
Alarmed by the invasion of its secretariat by the police, the NLC demanded a public apology from the police for such misconduct, threatening to call workers to down tools unless the police showed remorse for its action by apologising.
In reaction, the police in a statement on Friday, August 9, by, Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Spokesperson, said the NLC was not the target of the operation but an individual who shopped within Labour House for his “criminal” activities.
“Detectives, armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building.”
“This well-coordinated, lawful operation was solely aimed at apprehending the prime suspect—a foreign national implicated in numerous criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries.
“We emphasise that this operation had no connection with the NLC, its Secretariat, staff, or leadership. The NLC Secretariat was not the focus of the operation, which was targeted at a rented shop within the building used by the suspect as a front for his criminal activities in Nigeria.”
But addressing journalists at the NLC Secretariat in Abuja, Thursday, August 15, NLC’s Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Benson Upah, described the police allegations of tracing a suspected international criminal to the building as laughable, challenging the police to come up with proof of any relationship with the alleged criminal.
The NLC was still awaiting police apology when its President Joe Ajaero was summoned by the police for questioning over allegations of terrorism financing and treason levelled against him.
The invitation requires his presence on August 20 (today, raising questions about the integrity of the investigation process.
CISLAC insisted that any police investigation must be transparent to restore public trust in security agencies, which have faced criticisms for failing to address rampant criminal activities.
The organization warned that the current climate could damage President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s global reputation, urging a reevaluation of police priorities to protect civil rights and democratic integrity.
Rafsanjani said: “While we do not oppose a police investigation, we insist that it must be conducted in an open and transparent manner. This investigation must continue so that Nigerians can clearly see that the government is not fabricating allegations. The integrity of both the NLC and the police is at stake.
“Only through a transparent and credible investigation process can Nigerians regain confidence in our security agencies. The government and security agencies must do everything possible to restore trust and confidence in our criminal justice system, as citizens are rapidly losing faith in its ability to deliver justice fairly.
“Many Nigerians are frustrated by the government’s failure to address the activities of known criminals, including terrorist financiers, kidnappers, bandits, and corrupt public officials who openly terrorize citizens. The recent kidnapping of the Emir of Gobir, along with a video from the bandits demanding ransom, is a stark reminder of this issue. Despite these blatant acts, the police have been unable to track down these perpetrators, raising serious questions about their effectiveness.
“In contrast, security forces have been recorded shooting and harming innocent protesters using live ammunition, even those outside designated protest areas, who are speaking out against issues like insecurity, hunger, and unemployment.
“This situation reflects a serious misplacement of priorities. The police must prove that they are not being used as a tool to undermine the legitimate struggles of the citizenry.
“It is particularly disheartening that the police officers involved in these actions are themselves victims of poor governance, substandard living conditions, and loss of life, with even retired officers struggling to receive their benefits due to the corrupt system in the country.
“This action worries us, as it has the tendency to further damage the global reputation of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, being seen as an attempt to suffocate civil space. This could have severe consequences for Nigeria’s image on the international stage. We advise that the President must make a personal effort to checkmate those who are demarketing his administration with his name and his personality with these brutal violations of the rights of peaceful Nigerians.
“We urge non-state actors to recognize this as a wake-up call, as desperate politicians may attempt similar tactics to frame journalists, credible civil society organizations, ASUU, other trade unions, and non-violent mass democratic organizations. The integrity of our democratic institutions is at serious risk.”
