- Safiu Kehinde
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed the invitation of its leader, Joe Ajaero, by the Nigerian Police Force over alleged treasonable offence and other charges filed against him yesterday.
The Police had, in a letter of invitation issued on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence Response Team by ACP Adamu Muazu, demanded the presence of Ajaero at its Abuja office today over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime linked to him.
NLC confirmed the invitation in a statement issued on its official website yesterday.
The labour union, however disclosed that a personal message had earlier been sent to Ajaero prior to the issuance of the letter.
While stressing that the Police are yet to issue a feedback on their raid of the Labour office complex, NLC noted that the invitation letter did not formerly address its leader as it questioned the motive of the invitation.
NLC reinstated their demands to the Federal Government after the raid and their call to hold the Police Force accountable should anything happen to any of its leaders.
“A personal message sent to. Comrade Joe Ajaero by SP Moshood said, ‘We were at the Labour House to submit this (letter of invitation) but the place was locked sir’.
“We find this curious because staff were in the office beyond 6pm.
“We also note that Comrade Joe Ajaero was not addressed by his official title of President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Clearly, the last has not been heard about the raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Preceding the raid, Congress had advised government to dialogue with the organisers of the protest even as Congress had clearly stated it was not part of the protest.
“Congress criticised the police for the high casualty rate during the protest.
“Congress in its NEC communique after the raid expressed outrage at the behaviour of the police and demanded for an apology from both the police and government.
“At its world press conference last Thursday, Congress had raised an alarm that should anything happen. to the leadership of the Congress or any of its members, the police should be held accountable.
“The question on the lips of those in the know is, who wants Joe Ajaero out of circulation.” The statement read.