Nigeria Labour Congress, on Tuesday, threatened to shut down the nation if the police detain or arrest its national President, Joe Ajaero.
NLC made this resolution at the end of its emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja. Some other executives joined the meeting virtually.
When the meeting commenced at about 8:30 a.m., it was resolved that Ajaero should honour the invitation by the police.
Recall that on Monday that Ajaero was invited by the police for an “interview” on charges connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime”.
The letter of invitation, dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Intelligence, said Ajaero’s name was mentioned in ongoing investigations connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime”.
The letter directed Ajaero to report at the IRT Complex, Abbattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20 at 10 am, warning that a warrant of arrest would be issued against him if he failed to report.
On July 7, security agents conducted a nocturnal raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.
NLC spokesperson, Upah, alleged that the operatives burst into the building at about 8.30 pm and arrested the security guards, forcing them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor.
Upah said, “The security operatives, some from the Nigeria Police Force, some wearing black tee-shirts, presumably from the Department of State Services, and others on outright mufti, swooped on the 10th Floor of the NLC and arrested the security operative on duty and then commandeered him to the second floor where he was asked to produce the keys to the offices.”
But the police claimed responsibility for the operation, saying it was aimed at uncovering incriminating documents that could help build a case against an international “subversive” figure considered a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Last week, the NLC rejected the explanation offered by the police on the raid and demanded the release of its arrested members and seized documents.
NLC also criticised government attempts to interfere with the organisation’s internal affairs, including a proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders.
Details later…
