Following the invitation by the Nigeria Police Force to Nigeria Labour Congress president, Joe Ajaero to appear for questioning over terrorism financing allegations, the body said its members would be prepared for a nationwide strike.
The NLC Tuesday summoned an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Labour House to discuss the matter and consult its lawyers.
“At the end of the meeting, we reached some certain resolutions. Part of the resolution is that, as a committed labour centre, we agreed or that we abide by the rule of law and due process,” said NLC deputy president Kabiru Ado Sani.
“We will honour the invitation of the Nigerian police because we are not a faceless organisation, but we believe that we need an extension of time, after consultation with our lawyers, because this invitation was extended to the Congress President yesterday and asked to report at the police by 10 a.m. today.
“So we are already working with our lawyers to look for extension of time, but this does not legitimise the charges by the Nigerian police to the Congress leadership.
“Secondly, we resolve that in an event our Congress President was arrested or detained at any moment, we put our affiliate on red alert to mobilise our membership across the country, that all workers in this country should down tool their services.
“This is the resolution because Comrades, this organisation belongs to all of us, therefore we should do everything possible to safeguard the safety of this organisation. We, therefore, thank you very much, and you should wait for further directives by our leadership.
“Whatever happens, we will communicate your leadership, and your leadership will communicate with you. So we urge you to remain calm and go back peacefully to our workplace and await further directives.”
The Nigeria Police Force on Monday invited Joe Ajaero for questioning over allegations of terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cybercrime and other related offences.
The invitation was contained in a letter dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team.
According to the letter, the police warned that a warrant of arrest would be issued if Ajaero failed to appear for interrogation on Tuesday (today).
However, human rights lawyer Femi Falani SAN representing the NLC president wrote to the police that his client will not report to the police Tuesday because of a prior engagement. Falana also asked for more information with regards to the accusations filed against Mr. Ajaero.
