The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has returned to the Labour House after responding to a police invitation.
Ajaero reported to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday morning, accompanied by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, and others. He departed the police Intelligence Response Team headquarters around 11:15 a.m. after providing his statement.
Although Ajaero did not speak to journalists at the IRT headquarters, he promised to address the media at the Labour House.
The police invitation, reportedly linked to an investigation into terrorism financing, sparked controversy, with the NLC and other labour unions accusing the Federal Government of attempting to intimidate labour leaders.
Before Ajaero’s appearance, labour members gathered at the NLC headquarters on Thursday to show solidarity with their president.
According to police authorities, Ajaero was called in to answer questions regarding alleged involvement in terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
The invitation followed a police raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja, which led the NLC National Executive Council to hold an emergency meeting on August 20.
The Council condemned the police action, describing the allegations against Ajaero as fabricated and politically motivated, aimed at silencing organized labour.
They also criticized the short notice of the police invitation and requested a postponement of Ajaero’s appearance.
‘Harassing Labour Leaders’
Worried over the possible detention of Ajaero, the NLC leadership warned that it would embark on a nationwide strike should their President be arrested.
The union accused the Federal Government of harassing its leaders and has put its members and affiliates on red alert.
Deputy President of the Congress, Comrade Minjibir Ado issued the warning after an emergency meeting of the group’s National Executive Council on Auust 20
Amnesty International Reacts
Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the ongoing actions against Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
In a statement signed by the organization’s Director, Isa Sanusi, on August 20, Amnesty International described the fresh allegations of terrorism financing by Nigerian authorities against Ajaero and other union leaders as an attempt to intimidate them.
This statement comes in response to the NLC’s threat to launch a nationwide strike if Ajaero is detained by the police.
Sanusi said, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Nigerian authorities’ fresh attempts to further intimidate and harass Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) through threats of arrest of its President Joe Ajaero. We urge the authorities to end this pattern of brazen impunity and respect the right of the labour unions to agree or disagree with government and its policies.
“Under international human rights law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right, freedom of association is guaranteed, and workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities. The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse.”