The legal team representing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has formally requested a rescheduling of Ajaero’s interview with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) regarding certain allegations,leadership reports.
In a letter addressed to the Inspector-General of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mohammed Ahmed Sanusi on Tuesday, NLC’s lead counsel, Samuel Ogala, explained that the short notice of the invitation, received just a day earlier, made it impossible for Ajaero to attend on the scheduled date.
Through his lawyers, Ajaero expressed his willingness to cooperate with the police, proposing August 29, 2024, as an alternative date for the interview. The letter also requested clarification on the nature of the allegations against Ajaero, which include Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime, citing Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
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Meanwhile, the NLC issued a warning on Tuesday, threatening nationwide industrial action if the Nigeria Police Force detains Comrade Joe Ajaero following the invitation. This decision was made during an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC, where the council condemned the police action as an “unfounded and politically motivated investigation” targeting Ajaero.
In a communiqué signed by NLC deputy president, Comrade Ado Sani Minjibir, the NEC expressed deep concern over the police’s invitation to Ajaero, viewing the allegations as baseless and part of a broader effort by the state to intimidate and silence the labour movement.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the NLC stated its intention to honor the police invitation but demanded an extension of time. However, the NEC emphasized that this compliance does not validate the charges against Ajaero.
The labour center also condemned the ongoing harassment of labour leaders, describing it as a “calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement.” The NEC directed all affiliates and state councils to begin mobilizing their members nationwide, warning that any harm to Ajaero or any other leader would trigger an indefinite nationwide strike, effective from midnight on Tuesday.
The communiqué stated, “The NEC notes with grave concern that instead of offering the apology demanded by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police has chosen to embark on this spurious and opportunistic journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting.
“This is nothing but a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people and their leadership, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98.
“We shall honor the invitation: As a responsible labour center committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC will honor the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand an extension of time given the nature of the invitation.
“The NEC directs all affiliates and state councils to immediately commence the process of mobilizing their members across the nation. The Congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement.
“If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the Congress in connection with these tendentious allegations by the State, NEC instructs all its affiliates and state councils to proceed with an indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 Tuesday,” the NLC declared.
