In a significant development, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has notified the Nigeria Police that he will honour their invitation on Wednesday, August 29, 2024, rather than the initially scheduled date of August 20, 2024.
This was disclosed in a letter dated August 20, 2024, from the legal team representing the NLC and its president.
The letter, sent by Falana & Falana’s Chambers and signed by Samuel Ogala Esq., explained that Comrade Ajaero could not attend the scheduled interview on August 20 due to prior commitments. The NLC President has proposed August 29 as an alternative date for the interview.
The legal team also requested that the police provide detailed information regarding the allegations against Ajaero, citing his constitutional right to a fair hearing under Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The letter stated: “We have the instructions of Comrade Joe Ajaero to inform you that he is unable to honour your invitation on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in view of the fact that your invitation letter was received by him yesterday. He has an engagement that had been fixed before the receipt of the invitation letter. Therefore, Comrade Ajaero is prepared for your interview on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.”
It further added, “In accordance with the provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered, Comrade Ajaero requests for the details and nature of the allegations of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime levelled against him.”
Recall that the Inspector General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) had invited Ajaero over serious allegations, including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime. The invitation letter required Ajaero to appear for an interview on August 20, 2024, at the IRT Complex in Guzape District, Abuja.
The situation has heightened tensions, especially in light of recent actions by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has been cracking down on perceived opponents and those believed to have supported the recent 10-day nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
On August 7, armed security forces raided the NLC headquarters in Abuja, breaking into offices and seizing materials allegedly used to incite and organize the protests.
As the situation unfolds, the public awaits further clarification on the allegations against Comrade Ajaero and the outcome of the proposed interview on August 29.