In a surprising turn of events, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, has been summoned by the police for interrogation on charges that include criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, disclosed this development in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja. According to Upah, Ajaero received the summons through a letter dated August 19, signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Intelligence.
The letter reportedly informed Ajaero that his name had surfaced in an ongoing investigation related to these serious criminal offences. “The letter directed Ajaero to report at the IRT Complex, Abattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20, at 10:00 a.m.,” Upah revealed, adding that the letter warned of a potential arrest warrant should Ajaero fail to comply.
Additionally, Upah noted that a personal message was sent to Ajaero by SP Moshood, stating, “We were at the Labour House to submit this letter of invitation, but the place was locked, sir.” The NLC found this claim peculiar, as workers were reportedly in the office until 6 p.m., and the letter did not address Ajaero by his official title.
“Clearly, the last has not been heard about the raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress,” Upah commented, referring to previous tensions between the NLC and government authorities. He highlighted that before the raid, the NLC had advised the government to engage in dialogue with the protest organizers, emphasizing that the Congress was not involved in the protests. “Congress criticized the police for the high casualty rate during the protest,” he added.
Upah further stated that the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) had expressed outrage at the police’s conduct during the raid and demanded an apology from both the police and the government. “At its world press conference last Thursday, Congress raised an alarm that should anything happen to the leadership of the Congress or any of its members, the police should be held accountable.”
He concluded by posing a critical question: “The question on the lips of those in the know is, who wants Joe Ajaero out of circulation?”
