Alleged Terrorism Financing: Labour To Storm Force Headquarters Thursday In Solidarity With Ajaero

In support of its President, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rallied its members, particularly the Central Working Committee (CWC), to gather at the Police Headquarters in Abuja. This comes as Comrade Joe Ajaero responds to a police summons regarding allegations of terrorism financing and other charges.

Recall that the police had summoned the NLC President on Monday, August 19, to appear at the Force headquarters on Tuesday, August 20, by 10 a.m. to answer questions on his alleged involvement in terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.

The summons necessitated an emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, where the Congress condemned the action, describing the allegation as trumped-up charges and politically motivated to silence the workforce.

A circular to all NLC affiliates and State Councils, signed by the General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, on mobilization for peaceful procession and prayer session in solidarity with the Congress President, Comrade Ajaero, said together they shall overcome the challenges and continue to uphold justice, fairness, and democracy in the country.

The circular read: “In response to the recent summons by the Nigeria Police Force for our President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to appear for interrogation on trumped-up charges on Thursday, August 29, 2024, we call on all NLC affiliates and state councils to mobilize their members in Abuja and across the states to show solidarity.

“Details for Participation: In Abuja: All CWC members resident in Abuja and other members are expected to assemble at the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress by 8:00 AM on Thursday, August 29, 2024, to accompany the President to the Police for the scheduled interaction.

“In State Capitals: Members should gather at their respective state secretariats of Congress. From there, they will embark on a peaceful procession to their State Police Headquarters, where they will hold a prayer session until the president’s interaction with the police is concluded.

“This peaceful march is a united stand against the unjust actions aimed at intimidating our leadership and stifling the voice of Nigerian workers. We urge all members to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the procession and prayer session. If for any reason, the President is detained, all workers nationwide shall proceed on indefinite strike.

“Your unwavering support and solidarity at this critical time are crucial to defending civic rights and the integrity and rights of the labour movement.

“Together, we shall overcome these challenges and continue to uphold justice, fairness, and democracy in our dear nation.”

It will be recalled that after the Police summons for the NLC President to appear at the Force headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the Congress held an emergency NEC meeting where it resolved to demand for an extension of time from the Police in order to consult its lawyers on the subject matter.

Subsequently, a formal letter from the Chambers of Femi Falana, SAN, was sent to the police, where the NLC President said he would appear for the police interrogation on August 29, and he also demanded full details of the allegations against him.

A communiqué issued at the end of the emergency meeting read: “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened an emergency meeting to deliberate on the recent developments surrounding the invitation of the President of the Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by the Nigeria Police Force.

“This invitation is premised on a clearly unfounded and politically motivated investigation into alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.

“The NEC notes with grave concern that rather than extending the demand by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police has chosen to embark on this spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting.

“This is nothing but a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people and their leadership, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98.

“In light of this, the NEC of the NLC resolves as follows: We Shall Honour the Invitation: As a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honour the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand for extension of time given the nature of the invitation. However, we wish to state unequivocally that this does  not in any way legitimize the baseless allegations levelled against him.

“Condemnation of the State’s Actions: The NEC strongly condemns the continued harassment of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other Labour leaders.

“We view this as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses

“The NEC warns the state to desist from its evil intentions and stop the ongoing witch-hunt against the leaders of the Congress forthwith. The Congress will not sit idly by while the rights and freedoms of its members and leaders are trampled upon with impunity by the state.

“The NEC directs all affiliates and state councils to immediately commence the process of mobilizing their members across the nation. The Congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement.

“If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the Congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the State; NEC puts all its affiliates and state councils to proceed on indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 Midnight today.

“The NEC calls on all civil society allies and the general populace to stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress in this critical moment. The fight against injustice and oppression is a collective one, and we urge all Nigerians to rise in defence of our shared democratic values.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us. We stand firm in our resolve to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved country.”