In response to the police summons of Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on charges including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime, the labour movement declared yesterday that it will not be deterred by state-sponsored harassment, intimidation, and persecution.
The NLC reaffirmed its dedication to opposing the widespread suffering and hunger caused by the Federal Government’s detrimental policies, asserting that certain interest groups are actively attempting to suppress the current leadership of the Congress.
Furthermore, the NLC urged its affiliates to initiate a shutdown of the economy should Ajaero be apprehended by the police. Chief Femi Falana, SAN, a human rights activist and legal representative for the NLC, clarified that Ajaero was unable to respond to the police’s invitation to appear at the Force Headquarters yesterday, stating that the labour leader would be available to appear on August 29.
Anger mounts regarding the police’s invitation, various global workers’ organizations and civil society groups in Nigeria, including Amnesty International Nigeria and ActionAid, expressed their discontent with Ajaero’s summons.
A leader from the NLC stated, “There are orchestrated efforts by certain interest groups to silence the NLC under the current leadership. However, they do not comprehend that we cannot be silenced.
“We are advocating for a just cause. In a democracy, we have the right to voice our opinions. The workers have elected us to advocate on their behalf. They are experiencing hunger, suffering, and pain. These are the issues we are bringing to the government’s attention, which they are unwilling to acknowledge. These are the reasons they are targeting us, attempting to intimidate us by all means.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has informed the international community, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) about the harassment, intimidation, and police summons of its President, Joe Ajaero, over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
Additionally, a group of lawyers from the Abuja Human Rights Lawyers and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), led by Deji Adeyanju, visited the NLC headquarters, Labour House, to express solidarity and vowed to accompany the NLC President to the police station whenever he responds to the invitation.
The lawyers stated that the police should be prepared to arrest and detain all of them, alongside the NLC President, if necessary. Deji Adeyanju, a rights lawyer and activist, confirmed this development, saying, “Yes, a coalition of Abuja lawyers just submitted a letter to the Police from Femi Falana, SAN, on behalf of NLC. Myself and three other lawyers, under the leadership of Femi Falana, did so today (yesterday).”
It is reported that the NLC leaders have not only sent the communiqué of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held yesterday to the ILO and ITUC, but they have also informed the international community about the serious developments of state harassment, intimidation, and molestation of the NLC and its leadership.
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), representing 191 million members from 337 affiliates in 167 countries and territories, including Nigeria, has expressed grave concerns over the escalating attacks on the trade union movement in Nigeria.
In a statement made by the ITUC’s General Secretary, Luc Triangle, it was stated, “The ITUC is deeply concerned by the escalating attacks on the trade union movement in Nigeria. 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’.” The statement underscores the ITUC’s serious apprehension regarding the deteriorating situation for trade unions in Nigeria.
