The Nigeria Labour Congress has urgently called for a National Executive Council meeting following the police’s invitation of its National President, Joe Ajaero, who faces serious allegations, including financing terrorism.
Scheduled for 8 a.m. on Monday, the NEC meeting will be held at the Olaitan Oyerinde Hall within the Labour House, with all heads of affiliates and state chapters expected to attend.
According to The PUNCH, the notice for the meeting, titled, ‘Notice of Emergency National Executive Council Meeting ‘, was issued by the NLC’s Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja.
In the notice, Ugboaja conveyed his “fraternal greetings” from the Congress headquarters, emphasizing the urgency of the gathering, “You are invited to the emergency National Executive Council Hybrid meeting scheduled as follows: Tuesday, August 20, 2024; 8 a.m. Olaitan Oyerinde Hall, Labour House.”
The police’s invitation of Ajaero on Monday, relates to an ongoing investigation involving allegations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
The invitation letter, dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Intelligence, specifically named Ajaero as a person of interest.
The letter directed him to appear at the IRT Complex near Guzape Junction at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, warning that failure to comply could lead to an arrest warrant being issued.
This police action follows a July 7 night raid by security agents on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja, which the police claimed was part of an effort to uncover documents linking the NLC to a suspected international subversive figure viewed as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability.
The NLC has staunchly rejected the police’s explanation for the raid, demanding the immediate release of its detained members and the return of the confiscated documents.
Additionally, the NLC has strongly criticized what it perceives as government interference in its internal affairs, including a proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders.
