Falana Clarifies Ajaero’s Arrest

Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Counsel to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has stated that the arrest of NLC President Joe Ajaero by the Department of State Services (DSS) is not connected to the earlier police invitation.

According to him, “Ajaero had been invited by the police over alleged ‘threat to public peace,’ but the invitation was later rescheduled.

In an interview with newmen in Abuja, Falana explained, “The police invitation to Comrade Joe Ajaero was rescheduled last week. I have confirmed with the police authorities that the arrest is not related to the invitation.”

Falana further revealed that Ajaero was arrested by DSS operatives at the airport on Monday morning while en route to the United Kingdom to attend the ongoing Trade Union Congress (TUC) Conference, saying “No reason has been provided for the arrest by the SSS.”

Polity Reporters reports that the clarification comes amid concerns and condemnations from various quarters, including the NLC, Amnesty International, and civil society organizations, over Ajaero’s arrest and the raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office.