Terrorism, treason allegations: NLC’s lawyer faults content of Ajaero’s invitation letter

The inclusion of terrorism financing and treason allegations in the summons letter to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, by the Nigeria Police appears to have been a mistake or error.

According to Maxwell Opara, a representative of NLC lead counsel Femi Falana SAN, these allegations were not part of the questioning during Ajaero’s interview with the police at the Inspector General’s Intelligence Response Team office in Abuja.

Opara explained to journalists at the Labour House after the interview that the police only inquired about a tenant in the Paschal Bafyau Labour House, the NLC Headquarters.

“We were surprised because the allegations listed in the invitation letter were not addressed during the questioning. They were not even mentioned. Opara said.

The police letter, signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu and dated August 19, stated: “This office is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime in which you were mentioned.”

In response to the situation, NLC President Ajaero expressed that he had nothing to hide and thus honoured the police invitation.

He thanked supporters and affiliate unions for their solidarity and emphasised that the invitation would not deter the NLC from its mission to improve conditions for workers and Nigerians.

He also recalled previous arrests of labour leaders under the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime.

Ajaero went on to say that now that the police invitation saga is over, Congress will focus on the struggle for the implementation of the new minimum wage. He stressed that his leadership of NLC is committed to workers’ welfare and the interests of Nigerians.

NLC General Secretary Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja added that Ajaero, who is currently a student at a local university and was occupied with exams, had requested a postponement of the police interview due to the short notice of the invitation.

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