There are strong indications that the embattled president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, may face multiple charges, including extortion, alleged connections with wanted individuals, and a worrying attitude towards law enforcement agencies.
Credible intelligence sources have revealed that the reasons behind the arrest of Ajaero, by security services followed his failure to honour police invitation over a petition by Air Peace airlines.
Ajaero also failed to honour an invitation by the Department of State Services (DSS) over an alleged case of extortion, according to the sources.
The details of the Air Peace petition and alleged extortion were however, not revealed.
Also, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), which handles Nigeria’s security issues involving foreigners, invited Ajaero over the case of Andrew Wynne, a Briton accused of sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria — an allegation Wynne denies.
Earlier on Monday, the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended Ajaero at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as he was about to board a flight to the United Kingdom (UK).
The NLC leader was scheduled to attend a conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK.
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The credible sources, who requested anonymity, disclosed that Ajaero’s arrest was unrelated to NLC matters or labour activities. “It was for personal reasons involving fraudulent activities perpetrated by the NLC President,” one source stated.
One major allegation involves Ajaero reportedly extorting funds from various businessmen and organizations. Among the complaints is a formal petition lodged by Air Peace, which has been forwarded to the appropriate security services.
These serious claims suggest a troubling pattern of misconduct potentially extending beyond Ajaero’s role as a labor leader.
It was gathered that investigations by another security arm, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), focus on Ajaero’s associations with a foreign national currently on the run in Nigeria. This individual is accused of involvement in clandestine activities that threaten national security, raising significant concerns about Ajaero’s potential complicity in these illicit operations.
“The NIA wants to determine the nature of Ajaero’s relationship and connection with the said foreigner,” a source explained.
The high-ranking official commented on Ajaero’s conduct, describing it as arrogance and a blatant disregard for security protocols.
“Ajaero, using his position as NLC President, has consistently shown arrogance and disdain towards Nigerian security forces, acting as if he is untouchable and above reproach.
“He has ignored multiple invitations from the police, choosing instead to engage on his own terms, which is viewed as both disrespectful and defiant” the source remarked.
Despite his efforts to frame the allegations as politically motivated and rally support from the NLC, security officials maintain that the issues are strictly personal.
“These are not matters related to labour activism or the NLC and are not related to Nigerian workers or their welfare. He enjoys boasting that labour will go on a nationwide strike if Nigerian workers were his servants. Haba!
“These are personal allegations, and security agencies diligently pursue the investigation. His arrest has nothing to do with NLC or labour issues. It is over personal matters that our security agencies want to unravel,” the sources concluded.
However, Air Peace on Monday evening distanced itself from the arrest of the labour leader.
In a statement signed by the spokesperson for the airline, Omotade Makinwa, Air Peace said it was reacting to media reports insinuating that the secret police picked the NLC president over a petition submitted by the airline.
Makinwa noted that the report had created negative publicity for the airline.
The publicists complained that it submitted a petition over a year ago but the police refused to act on it.
The statement read in part, “Air Peace Airline expresses deep concern over recent media reports regarding the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in connection to a petition filed by the airline in September 2023. This development, which has led to negative publicity, does not reflect the current relationship between Air Peace and the NLC.
“It is important to clarify the events leading up to the petition. On May 3,, 2023, the NLC disrupted Air Peace operations as part of a broader conflict with the Imo State Government. Although Air Peace had no involvement in the dispute between the NLC and the Imo State Government, our airline was unfortunately used as a tool to exert pressure on the government. This unlawful disruption of our services caused significant financial losses and impacted the travel plans of many Nigerians across multiple states.
“In response to this disruption, Air Peace’s legal team submitted a formal petition against the NLC to the Nigerian Police. Despite our repeated efforts to follow up on the petition, the police failed to take prompt action.”
However, the airline added that “over a year later, the Nigerian Police have chosen to act on the original petition, which has now led to the alleged arrest of the NLC president.”
Makinwa said, “Before this arrest, the airline and the NLC had already reached an amicable resolution, and Air Peace had withdrawn its petition, allowing a positive working relationship to resume between the two organisations.”
