Police Re-Invites NLC President Ajaero, Secretary Ugboaja for Questioning

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a second invitation to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and the Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, for further interrogation.

The invitation, dated August 28, 2024, comes a day after Ajaero honoured an earlier invitation at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

According to the letter signed by CP Rufus Alajide, the latest invitation is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged “criminal intimidation, malicious damage to properties, and conducts likely to cause breach of public peace.”

Ajaero and Ugboaja are requested to attend an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, on September 5, 2024, at 11 am.

This development follows an earlier invitation from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), over allegations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”

Ajaero reported to the Force Headquarters on Thursday, accompanied by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, and others.

After the interview, Ajaero addressed a crowd of NLC members gathered in solidarity with him, describing the labour movement as the most patriotic organization in the country and promised that the union would not compromise its patriotism despite challenges.

Ajaero also described the police invitation as one of the hazards of being a labour leader, recalling his experience in the 90s when he was detained under General Sani Abacha’s regime.

He thanked NLC members for their solidarity and assured them that he would continue to demand better welfare for Nigerian workers, saying “we will not listen to any distraction.”