By Adedapo Adesanya
Humanitarian organisation, Amnesty International Nigeria, has condemned the invitation of the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
On Monday, the NPF invited Mr Ajaero for investigation over allegations of terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cybercrime and other related offences.
A statement signed by the organisation’s Director, Mr Isa Sanusi on Tuesday, described fresh allegations of terrorism financing by the Nigerian authorities against Mr Ajaero and NLC leaders as an attempt to intimidate the unionists.
The rights group’s reaction comes after NLC’s threatened to embark on a nationwide strike should the police detain Mr Ajaero.
“Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Nigerian authorities’ fresh attempts to further intimidate and harass Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) through threats of arrest of its President Joe Ajaero.
“We urge the authorities to end this pattern of brazen impunity and respect the right of the labour unions to agree or disagree with government and its policies.
“Under international human rights law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right, freedom of association is guaranteed, and workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities. The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse.
“In the last one year, Amnesty International had observed increasing attempts by the Nigerian government to silence the umbrella labour union, through trying by hook and crook to use state institutions to discredit them. This is a new low in this government’s human rights records.
“In Nov. last year, the President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Mr. Joe Ajaero was beaten and blindfolded by the police in connivance with thugs sponsored by Imo state government in Owerri. No one was held to account for the assault. Recently, Nigeria Police raided the headquarters of NLC and carted away documents and books. After the raid, the union labour leaders had to go into hiding for safety reasons. In February, the leadership of NLC cried out over threats and intimidation they faced over a legitimate strike action.
“The Nigerian government is clearly and unlawfully interfering with the functioning of an independent workers union, by targeting its leaders with baseless accusations that are gradually crippling the activities of the union. The organization urges the Nigerian authorities to immediately end this bizarre crackdown on leaders of the nation’s labour union. The allegations against NLC and its leadership are just punitive measures aimed solely at deterring and punishing them for standing up for workers’ rights,” the group said.