Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero’s scheduled interrogation did not occur on Thursday, as both Ajaero and NLC Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja were absent from the police headquarters in Abuja.
According to reports from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja, where the session was slated to take place, neither Ajaero nor Ugboaja attended.
A source familiar with the situation revealed that the labour leaders had formally informed the police of their unavailability. “They did not appear. They notified investigators in writing, requesting to reschedule the session to September 25,” the source stated.
Ajaero’s lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), who accompanied him during his first appearance on August 29, had hinted on Wednesday that the labour leaders might request a postponement.
On Thursday, Falana confirmed, “We asked for a different date as Comrade Joe Ajaero had an engagement outside Abuja today.”
Ajaero is under investigation for allegations including terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
His summons followed a police raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja, where authorities claimed to have uncovered a connection between Ajaero and a British national, Andrew Wynne, who is accused of funding recent protests under the #EndBadGovernance or #Hunger movements.
These protests allegedly aimed to destabilize President Bola Tinubu’s government.
After Ajaero’s initial appearance on August 29, the police issued a follow-up letter signed by Commissioner of Police, Operations, Ibitoye Alajide, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID).
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The letter requested Ajaero and Ugboaja to appear again on Thursday, September 5, citing further investigations into allegations of criminal intimidation, incitement of public unrest, and property damage.
The letter stated: “In furtherance of investigations into the alleged case of criminal intimidation, actions likely to breach public peace, and malicious damage to property in which your name was mentioned, you are requested to appear with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID) at SPO’s Room 112, 2nd Floor, FID Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters, Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, 5th September 2024, at 11 a.m.”