The Police have summoned the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, President, Joe Ajaero, and the General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, to appear at Force Headquarters on September 5, 2024.
The fresh summons is coming less than 24 hours after Joe Ajaero honoured the Police’s invitation over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
This time around, the NLC President and the General Secretary are to answer questions over alleged criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to properties.
They are being invited by the Force Intelligence Department, FID, of the Nigeria Police Force, Force Headquarters.
The summons
The Police summons is dated August 28, 2024, entitled “Investigation activities. Invitation letter”, and signed by Commissioner of Police, Operations, Ibitoye Rufus Alajide, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Force Intelligence Department, FID, Abuja.
The letter read: “In furtherance of investigations into the alleged case of criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause breach of public peace and malicious damage to properties in which your name featured.
“You are requested to come along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, FID, through the undersigned, at SPO’s Room 112, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, 5th September 2024 at 11 a.m.
“On arrival, you may wish to call Usman on GSM number 08039659139. Your cooperation in this regard is highly solicited, please.”
Earlier invitation
Recall that the NLC President had Thursday, August 20, 2024, honoured an earlier invitation by the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, arm of the Police Force.
This followed the Police summons on August 19, asking him to appear the next day, August 29, and threatening him with arrest should he fail to comply.
Nonetheless, Ajaero through human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), wrote to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, explaining why he could not honour the summon on the said date.
He, however, informed the IGP that he would come on August 29, to respond to the alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.
True to his promise, Ajaero alongside Falana, Maxwell Opara, Deji Adeyanju, among other lawyers, and Labour leaders, went to the Force Headquarters to honour the Police summons.
‘We can’t be intimidated’
Addressing journalists on his return from the Force Headquarters, over an hour after, Ajaero insisted that the Labour movement could not be intimidated. He declared that the allegations against him were “baseless”.
Ajaero maintained that the NLC remained committed to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and would not be cowed by any form of intimidation. “We can’t be intimidated,” he stated emphatically. “The allegations against us are baseless, and we have nothing to hide.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced by labour leaders, Ajaero shared, “You can’t do this job we’re doing without this type of hazard.
“Even at the unit level, some of us experienced it. As far back as 1997/1998 with Femi Falana, we were equally together in the cell during the time of Abacha.
“But whatever the case is, we’re out to continue the struggle. We’ve gotten minimum wage, but we can’t be intimidated. We have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.
“Every other thing that will make the welfare of the Nigerian workers worthwhile, we will be involved in it,” he noted.
Ajaero further explained that his appearance before the Police was in the interest of transparency and to clear the air on the unfounded accusations levelled against him and the NLC.
He noted that the union would continue to fight for the welfare of workers and stand firm in the face of challenges.
Despite the weight of the allegations, Ajaero maintained a confident stance, dismissing the claims as an attempt to weaken the labour movement.
He said: “Our resolve is stronger than ever. We will continue to champion the cause of workers across the nation, no matter the obstacles.”
Ajaero added that the NLC remains united and focused on its mission, undeterred by attempts to undermine its efforts.
