The Nigerian Police summoned the President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, yesterday, for questioning over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime in which he was mentioned.
This was contained in a letter dated August 19,2024 saying: “This office is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing and treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime in which you were mentioned
You are hereby invited to interview by the undersigned on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 by 10 am prompt at the IRT Complex by Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction in Abuja.
“Be informed that in the event of failing to honour this letter, the office will have no alternative than to activate a warrant of arrest against you please.’
Note that the police had on July 7, conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja, a move that activated media war between the organised labour and the police.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, while giving the reasons for their action in a statement by the police said “a prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a shop within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja”.
The statement which was signed by Force Spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, further explained that detectives armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building.
“The Nigeria Police Force, gave a publication alleging that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National Secretariat, known as the Labour House, located in the Central Business District, Abuja, was raided by the Police.
“On August 7, 2024, a press release issued by the NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations alleged that officers of the Nigeria Police Force, along with some individuals in black T-shirts and others in plain clothes, raided the Labour House.
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to clarify that a prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a shop within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja. Detectives, armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building,” the statement stated.
He said the well-coordinated, lawful operation was mainly for the reason of arresting the prime suspect – a foreign nationale implicated in numerous criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries.
Egbetokun went ahead to explain that the operation had no connection with the NLC, its secretariat, staff, or leadership, stating that the NLC Secretariat was not the focus of the operation, but a rented shop within the building used by the suspect as a front for his criminal activities in Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Police Force seeks the cooperation and support of the NLC leadership as we continue this investigation, which is vital to safeguarding our nation.
“The high-profile nature of the suspect poses a significant security threat to Nigeria and other African nations, making this investigation crucial for the safety of all involved, including the NLC,” IGP said.
