NLC President Declines Police Summons on Terrorism Financing Allegations

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has declined an invitation from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to attend an interview concerning allegations of terrorism financing and other serious charges. The police had summoned Ajaero on Monday, August 19, for questioning regarding alleged links to terrorism financing, cybercrime, and other accusations.

However, Ajaero, through a letter from his legal team, announced that he would not be able to attend the interview scheduled for Tuesday, August 20, 2024. He cited prior engagements as the reason for his unavailability but expressed his willingness to appear for questioning on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.

The police invitation, issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence Response Team under the Department of Force Intelligence, was signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Adamu S. Muazu. The letter warned that failure to comply with the invitation could result in Ajaero’s arrest.

In response, Ajaero’s legal representatives from Falana Chambers, through a letter signed by Samuel Ogala on behalf of the principal partner, confirmed Ajaero’s readiness to cooperate with the authorities. They also requested detailed information on the allegations against him, referencing the constitutional right to be informed of the charges.

The letter from Ajaero’s legal team stated: “We have the instructions of Comrade Joe Ajaero to inform you that he is unable to honor your invitation on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in view of the fact that your invitation letter was received by him yesterday (Monday). He has an engagement that had been fixed before the receipt of the invitation letter. Therefore, Comrade Ajaero is prepared for your interview on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.”

The letter further requested details on the charges, including allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime, as required by Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution.

When contacted, a senior police officer at the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad headquarters in Abuja, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the letter had been delivered. The officer mentioned that the interview had been canceled, noting that NLC representatives had visited only to submit the document.

Efforts to obtain an official police response on the next steps were unsuccessful, as no one was willing to comment.