Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has returned to the Labour House after honoring an invitation from the Nigerian police for questioning.
The police had summoned the NLC president last week following a raid at the Labour Headquarters, threatening to issue an arrest warrant if Ajaero refused to comply. According to police authorities, Ajaero is being questioned regarding allegations of involvement in terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
Earlier this morning, Ajaero reported to Force Headquarters in Abuja, accompanied by reputable human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) and others. After providing a statement at the police station, Ajaero returned to the Labour House. He declined to address the press at the station but promised to do so at the Labour House.
The NLC National Executive Council convened an emergency meeting on the morning of August 20, where they condemned the police action. The Council described the allegations against Ajaero as trumped-up and politically motivated, aimed at silencing organized labor. They warned the federal government to cease its attempts to intimidate the union, threatening to embark on a nationwide indefinite strike that could shut down the economy if their leader was not released promptly.
Amnesty International also condemned the actions against Ajaero, describing them as an attempt to stifle the union. Sanusi, a representative of Amnesty International, stated, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Nigerian authorities’ renewed attempts to intimidate and harass the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) through threats of arrest against its President, Joe Ajaero. We urge the authorities to end this pattern of brazen impunity and respect the rights of labor unions to freely agree or disagree with government policies.
“Under international human rights law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 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.”
