The invitation from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to President Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero has sparked off a row, with the NLC and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) alleging foul play.
Reacting to the invitation, the NLC said: “This is a red line. If anything happens to our president or any of our leaders, we will shut down the country.”
Also joining the fray is the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), which called for transparency in the whole scenario and urged the police not to allow themselves to be used as willing tools.
Notwithstanding the cry from labour movements, however, Ajaero, through his counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, told the police he would be honouring the invitation August 29, because of some pending assignments before him.
…The allegations
The police had, in an invitation letter to the labour leader, and dated 19th August 2024, asked him to come over to its Guzape Unit along Old Abattoir road, Abuja, to appear before its Intelligence Response Team (IRT) over allegations of terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cybercrime and other related offences.
The letter, signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, warned that a warrant of arrest would be issued if Ajaero failed to comply.
“This office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime in which you have been implicated.
“You are therefore required to report to the undersigned for an interview on Tuesday, 20th August 2024, at 10:00 hrs prompt, at Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja, through the Team Leader on telephone no 08035179870, in connection with the above investigation.
“Be informed that if you fail to honour this letter, this office will have no choice but to issue a warrant for your arrest,” the letter had read.
…Ajaero replies
Seeking a rescheduling of the police interview however, the duo the NLC and Ajaero, through their legal team, Tuesday, said the labour leader could not honour the invitation as scheduled “in view of the fact that your invitation letter was received by him yesterday (Monday).”
The letter signed by Samuel Ogala of Falana and Falana Chambers, said: “He has an engagement that had been fixed before the receipt of the invitation letter.”
While seeking a 9-day postponement for his client’s appearance for the said interview, Falana said: “Therefore, Comrade Ajaero is prepared for your interview on Wednesday, 29 August 2024.”
Falana further said based on Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, the police should provide “the details and nature of the allegations of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion and Cybercrime levelled against him.”
“While awaiting your positive response to this letter, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem,” the letter concluded.
…NLC’s threat
And rising from an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting Tuesday in Abuja, the NLC threatened a nationwide strike if anything happens to its leader.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the labour leadership warned that it had directed all affiliates and state councils to “immediately commence the process of mobilising their members across the nation.”
The communique signed by NLC Deputy President Comrade Ado Sani Minjibir, described the allegations against Ajaero as a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people and their leadership.
They said: “The NEC notes with grave concern that rather than extending the apology demanded 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 Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98.
“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.
“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 defense 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,” the communique said.
It added: “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 (Tuesday).”
…ITUC
Raising a similar voice, the ITUC, through its General Secretary, Luc Triangle, called for a stop on further harassment of trade unions as well as judicial intimidation.
In a statement Tuesday, the body said: “This week, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero was summoned by the police as part of an investigation into “criminal conspiracy” and “terrorism financing”.
“Earlier this month, heavily armed security forces raided and occupied the headquarters of the ITUC-affiliated NLC, arresting a union worker and wrecking the organisation’s bookshop.
“Reports indicated that 13 people were killed by security forces during a protest for economic justice”.
ITUC lamented that since 2023, Nigerian trade unions had faced a campaign of harassment and intimidation, including the violent assault on Ajaero in November.
“The situation in Nigeria is deeply concerning. These latest events come on the back of a sharp rise in intimidation and repression of trade unions.
“This includes the harassment of activists, the violation of collective bargaining rights and the violent suppression of peaceful protests. We see the systematic contravention of ILO conventions by the Nigerian government, particularly those related to freedom of association and the right to organise.
“Nigeria is a leader in Africa, it is important that the government there sets a good example regarding respect for human and labour rights and the rule of law. We call on the government to stop these attacks including the intimidation and judicial harassment of President Joe Ajaero and the NLC,” Triangle added.
…CISLAC too
Also weighing in, CISLAC raised some concerns over the development, pointing out that the integrity of both labour and the police is at stake.
In a statement signed by CISLAC Executive Director CISLAC and Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani , the body said, “we are deeply shocked and concerned by the ongoing attempts to incriminate, silence, and blackmail the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for its efforts to champion the rights and well-being of Nigerian workers.
“CISLAC recalls that on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, the NLC complex, popularly known as Labour House, was suddenly besieged by heavily armed security personnel. This invasion occurred just hours after the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting, where members condemned the heavy-handed tactics employed by security agents during the #EndBadGovernance protests”.
“Furthermore, the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, has been summoned by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), over allegations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
“While we do not oppose a police investigation, we insist that it must be conducted in an open and transparent manner. This investigation must continue so that Nigerians can clearly see that the government is not fabricating allegations. The integrity of both the NLC and the police is at stake” Rafsanjani added.
He noted that “only through a transparent and credible investigation process can Nigerians regain confidence in our security agencies.”
Rasfanjani further said “the government and security agencies must do everything possible to restore trust and confidence in our criminal justice system, as citizens are rapidly losing faith in its ability to deliver justice fairly.”
He further stated that “many Nigerians are frustrated by the government’s failure to address the activities of known criminals, including terrorist financiers, kidnappers, bandits, and corrupt public officials who openly terrorize citizens.”
According to him, “the recent kidnapping of the Emir of Gobir, along with a video from the bandits demanding ransom, is a stark reminder of this issue. Despite these blatant acts, the police have been unable to track down these perpetrators, raising serious questions about their effectiveness.
“In contrast, security forces have been recorded shooting and harming innocent protesters using live ammunition, even those outside designated protest areas, who are speaking out against issues like insecurity, hunger, and unemployment.
“This situation reflects a serious misplacement of priorities. The police must prove that they are not being used as a tool to undermine the legitimate struggles of the citizenry.
“It is particularly disheartening that the police officers involved in these actions are themselves victims of poor governance, substandard living conditions, and loss of life, with even retired officers struggling to receive their benefits due to the corrupt system in the country.
“This action worries us, as it has the tendency to further damage the global reputation of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, being seen as an attempt to suffocate civil space. This could have severe consequences for Nigeria’s image on the international stage. We advise that the President must make a personal effort to checkmate those who are demarketing his administration with his name and his personality with these brutal violations of the rights of peaceful Nigerians.”
He however, urged non-state actors to recognise this as a wake-up call, as desperate politicians may attempt similar tactics to frame journalists, credible civil society organizations, ASUU, other trade unions, and non-violent mass democratic organizations, adding “the integrity of our democratic institutions is at serious risk.”