OSAS EMMANUEL
ABUJA, Nigeria – The real reason why the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, was recently invited for interrogation by the Police has emerged.
Ajaero returned from the Police at around 11:25 am, after undergoing interrogation at the police facility in Abuja.
The Police had invited Ajaero last week for an interview on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cyber crime.
However, the NLC president had requested to postpone the meeting to Thursday, August 29.
Addressing workers who had gathered at the Labour House from early in the morning, was told that the police main focus was on the foreigner renting office space in the NLC building.
Ajearo said the allegations against him at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) headquarters in Abuja, are baseless.
He was accompanied by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), activist Deji Adeyanju, and other senior NLC officials.
Ajaero reassured that the organized labour movement will continue pressing the government to speed up the implementation of the newly signed national minimum wage.
Ajearo, in his address, said, “I have honoured the police invitation and want to assure workers and Nigerians that the NLC remains dedicated to fighting for their welfare despite any challenges.
“The allegations against us are baseless, and we have nothing to hide. We can’t be intimidated.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced by labour leaders, Ajaero said, “You can’t do this job we’re doing without this type of hazard.
“Even at the unit level, some of us experienced it. As far back as 1997/1998 with Femi Falana, we were equally together in the cell during the time of Abacha.
“But whatever the case is, we’re out to continue the struggle. We’ve gotten minimum wage, but we can’t be intimidated. We have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.
“Every other thing that will make the welfare of the Nigerian workers worthwhile, we will be involved in it,” he noted.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Ajaero maintained a confident stance, dismissing the claims as an attempt to weaken the labour movement.
“Our resolve is stronger than ever,” he added. “We will continue to champion the cause of workers across the nation, no matter the obstacles.”
A lawyer from Femi Falana Chambers, Mr. Maxwell Opara, who accompanied the NLC President to the Police station, said the real reason the Police invited Ajaero was merely to seek information regarding the tenant at the NLC headquarters.
Opara also pointed out that the police inquiry did not match the content of their original invitation, which had initially raised concerns.
