By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has told the Police to extend the time given to its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to appear for questioning so that it can consult with its lawyers.
The NLC also directed its affiliate members and indeed all workers in the country to immediately shut down the economy if the Nigerian Police arrested the Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
This came as a rights activist and lawyer to the NLC, Chief Femi Falana, replied to the Police on why Ajaero could not honour his invitation to appear at the force headquarters yesterday, August 20.
Falana explained that the NLC President had fixed an engagement for August 20 before the Police invitation was sent to him on Monday.
He promised to be available at the Police headquarters on August 29.
Recall that the Police had last night invited the NLC President to its headquarters for questioning over the allegation of involvement in terrorism financing, among others.
This development led to the convocation of an emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting at the Labour House, at which the Congress resolved to write to the Police for an extension of time to enable it to consult with its lawyers.
In a communique issued at the end of the emergency Zoom NEC meeting, which lasted about two hours, the labour centre condemned what it described as the continued harassment of the Congress leadership and other Labour leaders.
It said it viewed the action as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses.
The communique read, “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC convened an emergency meeting to deliberate on the recent developments surrounding the Nigeria Police Force’s invitation of the President of the Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
“This invitation is premised on a clearly unfounded and politically motivated investigation into alleged terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
“The NEC notes with grave concern that rather than extending the apology demanded by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police has chosen to embark on this spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting.
“This is nothing but a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people and their leadership, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98. In light of this, the NEC of the NLC resolves the following:
“We shall honour the invitation: As a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honour the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand an extension of time given the nature of the invitation.
“However, we wish to state unequivocally that this does not legitimise the baseless allegations levelled against him.”
While condemning the alleged harassment of labour leaders by the government, the Congress said, “The NEC strongly condemns the continued harassment of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other Labour leaders. We view this as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses.”
It called on those behind the alleged harassment of labour leaders to desist from such actions.
“The NEC warns the states to desist from its evil intentions and stop the ongoing witch-hunt against the leaders of the Congress forthwith. The Congress will not sit idly by while the rights and freedoms of its members and leaders are trampled upon with impunity by the State.
“The NEC directs all affiliates and state councils to immediately commence the process of mobilizing their members across the nation. The Congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement.
“If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the Congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the State, NEC will ask all its affiliates and state councils to proceed with indefinite nationwide strike action by midnight today (yesterday).
“The NEC calls on all civil society allies and the general populace to stand in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress in this critical moment. The fight against injustice and oppression is a collective one, and we urge all Nigerians to rise in defence of our shared democratic values.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us. We uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved country.”
Briefing workers who had assembled at the Labour House in solidarity with the Congress President and followed him to the Police headquarters, the NLC Deputy President, Kabiru Ado Sani, said that the invitation to Ajaero was an invitation to workers.
He said, “At the end of the meeting, we reached some resolutions. Part of the resolution is that, as a committed labour centre, we agreed or that we abide by the rule of law and due process.”
*Falana demands details of allegations against Ajaero
Meanwhile, rights activist and lawyer to the NLC, Falana, in a letter to the Inspector-General of Police, through the DCP Mohammed Ahmed Sanusi, also requested the Police to furnish him with details of the allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime levelled against him.
The letter to the Police titled “Re: Letter of invitation,” signed by Samuel Ogala, read, “We are Solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress and its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on whose behalf we write this letter regarding the above subject matter.
“We have the instructions of Comrade Joe Ajaero to inform you that he cannot honour your invitation on Tuesday, August 20 because your invitation letter was received by him yesterday. He has an engagement that had been fixed before receiving the invitation letter.
“Therefore, Comrade Ajaero is prepared for your interview on Wednesday, August 29, 2024. Furthermore, by the provisions of section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered, Comrade Ajaero requests for the details and nature of the allegations of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime levelled against him.
“While awaiting your positive response to this letter, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.”
*ITUC condemns ongoing intimidation of unions in Nigeria
Similarly, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) yesterday said it was gravely concerned by the escalating attacks on the trade union movement in Nigeria.
Expressing concern on the alleged attacks and harassment of labour leaders in Nigeria, the ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle said, “This week, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero was summoned by the police as part of an investigation into “criminal conspiracy” and “terrorism financing.
“Earlier this month, heavily armed security forces raided and occupied the headquarters of the ITUC-affiliated NLC, arresting a union worker and wrecking the organisation’s bookshop. Reports indicated that security forces killed 13 people during a protest for economic justice.
“Since 2023, Nigerian trade unions have faced a campaign of harassment and intimidation, including the violent assault of Joe Ajaero in November.”
The ITUC general secretary further said, “The situation in Nigeria is deeply concerning. These latest events come on the back of a sharp rise in intimidation and repression of trade unions.
“This includes the harassment of activists, the violation of collective bargaining rights, and the violent suppression of peaceful protests. We see the Nigerian government’s systematic contravention of ILO conventions, particularly those related to freedom of association and the right to organise.
“Nigeria is a leader in Africa, it is important that the government there sets an excellent example regarding respect for human and labour rights and the rule of law.
“We call on the government to stop these attacks, including the intimidation and judicial harassment of President Joe Ajaero and the NLC.”
