The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has formally requested the rescheduling of its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero’s interrogation by the Nigeria Police Force, initially set for this week.
In a letter sent on Tuesday to the Inspector-General of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmed Sanusi, NLC’s legal team, led by Samuel Ogala, cited the short notice of the invitation as the reason Ajaero could not attend on the scheduled date. The letter proposed August 29, 2024, as an alternative.
The NLC also requested further clarification regarding the nature of the allegations against Ajaero, which include charges of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime, referencing Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
In response to the police’s actions, the NLC issued a warning of possible nationwide industrial action should Ajaero be detained. Following an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, the NLC described the police inquiry as a “politically motivated investigation” aimed at silencing the labour movement.
The NEC, in a communiqué signed by NLC Deputy President, Comrade Ado Sani Minjibir, expressed strong disapproval of the police’s approach, labelling the accusations baseless and part of a broader attempt to undermine the labour union.
Despite agreeing to comply with the police invitation, the NEC emphasized that this compliance does not validate the charges against Ajaero. It condemned the harassment of labour leaders and warned that any harm to Ajaero or other union leaders would trigger an indefinite nationwide strike starting from midnight on Tuesday.
The communiqué reads in part: “The NEC views this as a blatant attempt to suppress the voice of Nigeria’s workers and their leadership. We will honour the invitation, but demand an extension of time due to the nature of the allegations.”
The NLC also instructed all affiliates and state councils to begin mobilizing members across the country, vowing to take all necessary steps, including protests and industrial action, to defend the labour movement’s integrity.
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