The Nigerian Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) has summoned Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), for questioning. Ajaero is being invited over allegations including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police at the IRT issued the letter of invitation, warning that if Ajaero fails to appear, he will face arrest. The letter, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner, was dated August 19 and instructed Ajaero to report to the IRT office in Abuja on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
The letter reads, “This office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion and Cybercrime in which you were mentioned. You are therefore invited to interview the undersigned on Tuesday, 20th August, 2024 by 10:00 am prompt, at IRT Complex, Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja, through the Team Leader with telephone no 08035179870 in connection with the above investigation. Be informed that in the event of failing to honour this letter, this office will have no alternative than to activate a warrant of arrest against you please.”
The NLC has responded strongly to the invitation. An official from the organization, speaking to Vanguard, accused the government of trying to silence those who oppose its policies.
The official stated, “By this act, the government has shown its true colour of fascism and its resolve to muscle any group or individual opposed to its anti-people, and anti-poor policies. Instead of the government to address the issues raised by the #Endbadgovernance protesters, its agents are busy looking for ways of repressing and cowing people that do not agree with the sufferings, the hardship, pains, and frustration their policies have inflicted on the people of Nigeria.”
Regarding whether Ajaero will comply with the invitation, the official confirmed that the NLC President will indeed attend the meeting, adding, “We will honour the invitation with full knowledge of journalists and others.”
In a related reaction, Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs at the NLC, shared that the police had attempted to deliver the invitation to Ajaero in person.
According to Upah, a message from SP Moshood to Ajaero read, “We were at the Labour House to submit this (letter of invitation) but the place was locked, sir.”
Upah expressed suspicion over this, noting that staff were present at the Labour House until after 6 p.m. He also pointed out that the letter failed to address Ajaero by his official title as NLC President.
The police invitation follows a recent raid on the NLC headquarters, which the Congress condemned. The NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) expressed outrage at the police’s actions and demanded an apology from both the police and the government. In a world press conference last Thursday, the NLC warned that if any harm comes to its leadership or members, the police should be held responsible.