September 23, (THEWILL) – Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, will honour invitation by the Police Force Intelligence Department (FID), on Wednesday, September 25.
This is coming nearly a month after Ajaero, on August 29, honoured earlier invitation by the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony and Cybercrime.
The FID had in a letter dated August 28 and signed by the Commissioner of Police (OPS), CP Ibitoye Rufus Alajide, Office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, accused Ajaero and Ugboaja of alleged criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to properties.
“In furtherance of investigations into the alleged case of Criminal Intimidation, Conducts Likely to Cause Breach of Public Peace and Malicious Damage to Properties in which your name featured.
“You are requested to come along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja or an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force intelligence Department (FID) through the undersigned, at SPO’s Room 12, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu hagari way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, 5th September, 2024 at 11am.
“On arrival, you may wish to call Mr Usman on GSM number 08039659139.
“Your cooperation in this regard is highly solicited, please.”
The Department of State Services (DSS) had on September 9, arrested Comrade Ajaero at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while on his way to the United Kingdom to attend a Trade Union Congress meeting. He was later released few minutes to midnight of the day he was arrested amid threats by the NLC to shutdown the economy.
Speaking over the weekend to a gathering of workers and union officials in Lagos, Ajaero described his ordeal with the DSS as clear attempts to undermine the labour movement.
He further announced his intention to respond to a final police summons scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, at the police headquarters in Abuja.
“I was recently apprehended and held by the state, which was a blatant effort to intimidate and stifle our movement. They anticipated uncovering misconduct, but we have maintained our resolve. We all must continue to uphold this spirit”, he said.
“On August 29, we honoured the summons of the state to answer to some allegations, and on the 25th of this month, we shall honour another one, this time at the police headquarters in Abuja.
“Our hands must remain unsullied, our hearts pure so that when the enemies of our movement come, as they will, they will find nothing to use against us.
“As we prepare for the struggles ahead, remember they can imprison our bodies, but they cannot imprison our spirit. They can throw every obstacle on our path, but they cannot destroy our unity”, he declared.
Ajaero also expressed gratitude to international organisations, particularly those in the global trade union community, for their steadfast support during the NLC’s recent difficulties.
