On Thursday, Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), appeared at the Inspector General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Complex in Abuja after being invited for questioning over serious allegations, including terrorism financing and criminal conspiracy. Ajaero was accompanied by prominent human rights lawyers Femi Falana (SAN) and Deji Adeyanju.
The police invitation, issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, IRT, detailed allegations against Ajaero of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.” Ajaero initially deferred the scheduled interview on August 20, 2024, citing prior engagements, but agreed to attend on August 29, 2024, following a letter from his legal counsel.
During the brief 20-minute meeting, which was also attended by officers from the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and other security agencies, Ajaero was questioned about a British-Russian citizen associated with the NLC. This individual, suspected by authorities of attempting to destabilize Nigeria, reportedly runs the Iva Valley Bookshop located at the NLC Headquarters.
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The interrogation followed recent police actions, including the arrest of Adeyemi Abayomi Abiodun, an employee of the British-Russian citizen, Mr. Drew Povey. Povey, who has been linked to the #EndBadGovernance protests, has had his residence and the home of his relative, Stars of Nations Schools Principal Helen Batubo, raided by police in connection with the same allegations.
Ajaero expressed frustration with the police’s approach, suggesting that a phone call or text message would have sufficed instead of a formal invitation. He also criticized the August 7 invasion of the NLC Headquarters.
The legal team led by Femi Falana challenged the validity of the allegations, particularly the suspicion raised due to Ajaero’s residence in the outskirts of Abuja. They argued that living outside affluent areas is not a crime, and questioned the legality of sponsoring or participating in protests, which was another point of contention raised by the police.
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After the meeting, Ajaero returned to the NLC Headquarters, where he reiterated his commitment to fighting for the implementation of the new minimum wage, despite the recent challenges. He reflected on past experiences of persecution and assured supporters that the struggle for workers’ rights would continue unabated.
“We have gone there and we are back. You can’t do this job without facing such hazards,” Ajaero said. “What is important is the circumstances that took me to that place and whatever it is, we are out to continue the struggle.”
Ajaero’s case highlights the ongoing tensions between the Nigerian government and labor organizations, especially amid growing concerns about civil liberties and the right to protest.