The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, declined a police invitation on Tuesday, citing prior commitments as the reason for his inability to comply. The Nigeria Police had summoned Ajaero on Monday to answer questions regarding serious allegations, including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
In response to the summons, Ajaero’s legal representatives, Falana and Falana Chambers, swiftly communicated his position to the police. In a letter signed by Samuel Ogala, a principal partner at the law firm, the NLC President informed the authorities that he received their invitation too late to adjust his schedule. The letter stated, “We have the instruction of Comrade Joe Ajaero to inform you that he is unable to honor your invitation on Tuesday, 20th August 2024, as your letter was received by him just yesterday. He has an engagement that had been fixed before the receipt of the invitation letter.”
Ajaero, through his lawyers, expressed his readiness to cooperate with the investigation but requested a rescheduled date. “Comrade Ajaero is prepared for your invitation on Wednesday, August 29, 2024,” the letter continued. Additionally, the NLC president asked for detailed information on the accusations against him, emphasizing his right to be informed of the nature of the charges, as provided by Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The allegations leveled against Ajaero have caused a stir within the NLC, prompting the organization to issue a stern warning. The labor union, in a communique released after an emergency meeting on Tuesday, declared its intent to mobilize members for mass protests and possible industrial action should anything happen to its president. The statement, signed by the NLC’s deputy president, Sani Minjibir, emphasized the union’s commitment to defending its leader and protecting the labor movement’s integrity.
“The NEC calls on all civil society allies and the general populace to stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress in this critical moment. The fight against injustice and oppression is a collective one, and we urge all Nigerians to rise in defense of our shared democratic values,” the communique read.
The NLC also expressed concerns about the police’s actions, describing the invitation as a form of “witch hunting, intimidation, and harassment.” The union urged its members nationwide to remain vigilant and prepared for any eventuality. The NLC’s statement further noted that the investigation appeared politically motivated, lacking any genuine basis for the serious allegations made against Ajaero.
The police had directed Ajaero to report to the IRT Complex, Abattoir by Guzape Junction, on Tuesday, August 20, at 10:00 a.m., warning that a warrant for his arrest would be issued if he failed to appear. Despite this, the NLC maintained its stance, criticizing the police’s approach and questioning the timing and motivation behind the summons.
The union highlighted that instead of apologizing for a previous invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the police had chosen to pursue what the NLC described as a “spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting.” This reference likely alludes to a recent incident where security forces allegedly disrupted activities at the NLC’s headquarters, further straining relations between the union and the government.
The NLC also framed the police’s actions as an attack on the rights and freedoms of Nigerian workers. The union asserted that the invitation was an attempt to silence the voice of the working class and undermine the leadership of the labor movement. It also invoked the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, which protect workers’ rights to organize and operate freely without undue interference.
“As a responsible labor center committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honor the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand an extension of time given the nature of the invitation. However, we wish to state that this does not in any way legitimize the baseless allegations leveled against him,” the statement from the NLC concluded.
