September 06, (THEWILL) – Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, will honour the invitation by the Police Force Intelligence Department (FID) on September 25.
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, invited Ajaero and Ugboaja for questioning over alleged criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to properties.
“You are requested to come along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for 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 Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja, on Thursday, 5th September 2024, at 11am,” the police directed.
THEWILL, however, learnt that the labour leaders failed to show up on Thursday, following a request for a rescheduled date.
Speaking on the development, a source with knowledge of the issue said Ajearo and Ugboaja had notified the police of their unavailability.
“They did not appear. They notified investigators in writing, requesting to reschedule the session to September 25,” the source said.
Ajaero’s lawyer, Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, confirmed the development, saying, “We asked for a different date as Comrade Joe Ajaero had an engagement outside Abuja.”
Ajaero had last week honoured an earlier invitation by the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony and cybercrime.
Earlier on Wednesday, an emergency meeting convened by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Congress directed members to mobilise for a one-day prayer session and rally at the headquarters of the police in their respective states.
To demonstrate solidarity and commitment to the protection of its leaders and the movement, the NEC said during the period, workers would not engage in any work activities until the “unfortunate” interrogation by the police was concluded.
It said members in Abuja would assemble at the national headquarters by 8:00 a.m. to accompany the leadership in a peaceful procession to the Police Headquarters.
“We will not be silenced, and we will ensure that the truth is made known to the public, both locally and internationally,” it said.
The communiqué signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the NEC viewed the invitation as provocative and yet another round of continuing intimidation and harassment by the Nigerian State, using the police to target the leadership of the labour movement.
He said it was clear that the action was part of a sustained campaign to undermine the NLC and its leaders, a campaign which began with the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies.
The labour leaders said they strongly condemn the continued acts of intimidation and harassment by the Nigerian state through its police force. They stated that such actions were reckless and unacceptable and constituted a direct attack on the labour movement, its leadership, and the rights of workers.
According to them, the actions are an affront to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and violate International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98, which guarantee freedom of association and the right to organise.
The NEC demanded that the government should stop the alleged shameful and illegal acts of harassment and intimidation against the labour movement and its leaders.
