Nigerian Labour Congress confirms arrest of Ajaero by DSS, Amnesty International kicks

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

He was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Aiport in Abuja on Monday, on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment, the NLC said.

The earlier report that opetatives of the Department of State for Services (DSS) had arrested President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has been confirmed.

It will be recalled that The DEFENDER, citing a media report, had said Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Aiport in Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom for an international labour conference.

Confirming the development, Head of Information of the NLC, Mr Benson Upah, said the report was correct.

The NLC president was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today (Monday September 9, 2024).

Upah said the union does not know where Ajaero had been taken but he had sent a message saying it was the DSS that arrested him.

A statement by the union later said the NLC president had been detained.

The statement read in part, “We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body.

“His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers.”

His arrest and detention came about a week after he honoured an invitation by the police on August 28. He was released the following day after honouring the invitation.

The NLC President was initially invited 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.”

“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 police’s second invitation read.

Also invited was the Secretary General of the union, Emmanuel Ugboaja.

Ajaero reported at the Force Headquarters in Abuja accompanied by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, and others.

After honouring the invitation, Ajaero returned to the NLC headquarters where he addressed a crowd of NLC members who had gathered in solidarity with him.

In his speech, Ajaero described the labour movement as the most patriotic organisation in the country, promising that the union won’t compromise its patriotism no matter the challenge it faces.

His invitation by the police had generated controversy with the NLC and other labour unions accusing the Federal Government of attempting to intimidate labour leaders.

The invitation came in the wake of a night raid by the police on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.

Before honouring the invitation, labour members had gathered at the headquarters of the NLC in solidarity with their president, where they condemned the police invitation.

The council described the allegations against Ajaero as trumped-up and politically motivated to silence organised labour.

They said that the police invitation to Ajaero was too short and asked for a postponement of his appearance.

Worried over the possible detention of Ajaero, the NLC leadership warned that it would embark on a nationwide strike should their president be arrested.

The union accused the Federal Government of harassing its leaders and has put its members and affiliates on red alert.

Deputy President of the Congress, Comrade Minjibir Ado issued the warning after an emergency meeting of the group’s National Executive Council on August 20.

Global humanitarian organisation, Amnesty International Nigeria also condemned the onslaught against Ajaero by the police.

A statement signed by the organisation’s Director, Isa Sanusi on August 20, described the allegations of terrorism financing by the Nigerian authorities against Ajaero and its leaders as an attempt to intimidate the unionists.

The international group’s reaction comes following NLC’s threat to embark on a nationwide strike should the police detain Ajaero.

Sanusi said, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Nigerian authorities’ fresh attempts to further intimidate and harass Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) through threats of arrest of its President Joe Ajaero. We urge the authorities to end this pattern of brazen impunity and respect the right of the labour unions to agree or disagree with government and its policies.

“Under international human rights law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right, freedom of association is guaranteed, and workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities. The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse.”