Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was Monday night invited by the Nigeria Police Force for “interview” on charges connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime”.
The letter dated August 19, 2024 stated: “This office is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing and treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime in which you were mentioned.
“You are hereby invited to interview by the undersigned on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, by 10 am at the IRT Complex by Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction in Abuja.
“Be informed that in the event of failing to honour this letter, the office will have no alternative than to activate a warrant of arrest against you please.’
The police had on July 7, conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja, a move that triggered a media war between organised labour and the police.
Explaining the basis of their action in a statement by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, the police said a prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a shop within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja.
The statement signed by Force Spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that detectives armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building.
“The Nigeria Police Force has noted a publication alleging that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National Secretariat, known as the Labour House, located in the Central Business District, Abuja, was raided by the Police.
“On August 7, 2024, a press release issued by the NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations alleged that officers of the Nigeria Police Force, along with some individuals in black T-shirts and others in plain clothes, raided the Labour House.
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to clarify that a prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a shop within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja. Detectives, armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building,” the statement stated.
He said the 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.
Egbetokun said the operation had no connection with the NLC, its secretariat, staff, or leadership, noting that the NLC Secretariat was not the focus of the operation, but a rented shop within the building used by the suspect as a front for his criminal activities in Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Police Force seeks the cooperation and support of the NLC leadership as we continue this investigation, which is vital to safeguarding our nation.
“The high-profile nature of the suspect poses a significant security threat to Nigeria and other African nations, making this investigation crucial for the safety of all involved, including the NLC,” IGP said.
Meanwhile, the NLC has summoned an emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting over the police invitation to its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, for alleged terrorism.
A circular dated August 19, 2024, entitled: “Notice of emergency National Executive Council (NEC) hybrid meeting, signed by the NLC General Secretary, Comrade Emma Ugboaja, invited all State Council Chairpersons and Secretaries, all Presidents and General Secretaries, all NAC members, and the NLC Youth Chairperson.
It read: “I bring you fraternal greetings from the Congress headquarters.
“You are invited to the Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) Hybrid meeting scheduled as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 20th August 2024
Time:: 08:00 am.
“NEC members in and around Abuja are encouraged to join physically at the Labour House, Abuja. Your attendance will be of utmost importance.”
Earlier, the NLC expressed suspicion over the allegation against its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by the police.
A statement issued by the head of Information and Public Affairs, Comrade Benson Upah, noted that the police, in the invitation, failed to address Ajaero by his appropriate designation.
The statement read: “The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has been invited by the Nigeria Police Force for “interview” on charges connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cyber crime “.
“The letter of invitation signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of Commissioner of Police Intelligence dated August 19, 2024, says Ajaero’s name was mentioned in on-going investigations connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
“Accordingly, the letter directed Ajaero to report at the IRT Complex, Abattoir by Guzape JJunction,on Tuesday, August 20th at 10:00, threatening that a warrant of arrest would be issued against him if he failed to report.
“A personal message sent to. Comrade Joe Ajaero by SP Moshood said, “We were at the Labour House to submit this (letter of invitation) but the place was locked, sir”.
“We find this curious because staff were in the office beyond 6 pm. We also note that Comrade Joe Ajaero was not addressed by his official title of President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
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“Clearly, the last has not been heard about the raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Preceding the raid, Congress had advised government to dialogue with the organisers of the protest even as Congress had 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 for 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.”
