ON Thursday, August 8, 2024, two days to the scheduled end of the recently concluded #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force stormed Labour House, headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.
The Police claimed they were looking for an international terrorist who used the NLC building as his office. Nigerians were shocked when the Police issued the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, an invitation to answer to allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cyber crime.
Ajaero’s lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), however replied the Police, saying his client would only respond to the invitation on August 29, 2024, as he already had scheduled engagements before the sudden invitation.
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While the nation waited with bated breath as to whether the Police would wait till August 29 or obtain an arrest warrant, the NLC and many unions within Organised Labour have been issuing warnings that they would immediately embark on strikes if Comrade Ajaero was arrested and kept in Police custody.
Ordinarily, a person whose “hands are clean” has nothing to fear from Police invitation or even arrest. If Comrade Ajaero has nothing to do with those weighty and ominous charges against him, he should go with his lawyers to the Police and clear the air. If the Police are not satisfied with his answers, he could be detained for a maximum of 48 hours and arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction. His lawyers could always apply for bail.
However, Ajaero, his lawyers and the unions are understandably apprehensive that the Police raid and invitation could be part of a devious plot by the President Bola Tinubu administration to silence the Labour movement which had strongly stood up for the rights of workers since Tinubu came to power 15 months ago.
There is apprehension that once Ajaero is arrested, he could be transferred to the DSS based on the enormity of the charges the Police have preferred against him. These kinds of charges can potentially attract maximum sentences such as death and life in prison.
The government may not stop with Ajaero. More independent-minded Labour leaders could be arrested. The umbrella unions could also be proscribed and government agents appointed to run their secretariats. These were tactics perfected under military rule which we fought to end.
While we urge Ajaero and his lawyers to cooperate with the authorities, Nigerians should prevail on the Police to prove their allegations against Ajaero or let him go. We reject politically-motivated persecution, intimidation and harassment.
There is no place for military tactics in a democracy..
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