The legal representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, have formally requested a rescheduling of the latter’s interview by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over certain allegations.
In a letter addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mohammed Ahmed Sanusi, on Tuesday, the NLC legal team, led by Samuel Ogala, explained that the short notice of the invitation, which was delivered just a day prior, made it impossible for Ajaero to honour the invite on the scheduled date.
In his response, Ajaero, through his lawyers, expressed his willingness to comply with the Police’s request, proposing an alternative date of August 29, 2024, for the interview.
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The letter also requested detailed information on the nature of the allegations against Ajaero, which include Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime, while citing Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
Meanwhile, the NLC, on Tuesday, issued a warning of potential nationwide industrial action if the Nigeria Police Force detains its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, following the invitation.
The decision was reached after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the organisation held on Tuesday where the council flagged the police action as an “unfounded and politically motivated investigation” targeting Ajaero.
The NEC, in a communiqué signed by NLC deputy president, Comrade Ado Sani Minjibir, expressed deep concern over the invitation of the Nigeria Police Force to Ajaero.
According to the communique, the council viewed the allegations as baseless and a continuation of the state’s efforts to intimidate and silence the labour movement.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the NLC stated its intention to honour the police invitation while demanding an extension of time.
However, the NEC made it clear that the compliance does not legitimise the charges against Ajaero.
The labour centre also condemned the ongoing harassment of labour leaders, calling it a “calculated attempt to weaken and destabilise the labour movement.”
The NEC directed all affiliates and state councils to begin mobilising their members nationwide. The NLC warned that any harm to Ajaero or any other leader would trigger an indefinite nationwide strike, effective from midnight of Tuesday.
The communiqué reads in parts, “The NEC notes with grave concern that rather than extending 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 fortuitous 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 honour the invitation: As a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honour the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand for 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 furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the State; NEC puts all its affiliates and state councils to proceed on indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 Tuesday today,” NLC stated.
