Alleged terrorism financing, others: Ajaero reschedules appointment with police

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero did not honour an invitation the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) extended to him over alleged terrorism financing, among others.

The labour leader said he had already scheduled other engagements for the day, promising to honour the police invitation next Wednesday, August 29.

On Monday, the police summoned Ajaero for questioning over an alleged link to terrorism financing, cybercrime and other allegations.

A letter from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Intelligence Response Team) in the Department of Force Intelligence named the allegations.

The letter, which was signed by Adamu S. Muazu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), threatened that should Ajaero fail to honour the invitation, the police would arrest him.

Responding through a letter he wrote to the police through his lawyer, Femi Falana Chambers, Ajaero expressed his readiness to answer all questions the police may want to ask him over the allegations.

The SituationReport magazine reports that Ajaero’s response letter, which was signed by Samuel Ogala for the principal partner of the law chamber, said the NLC president was asking for the details of the allegations levelled against him.

It reads: “We are solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress and its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on whose behalf we write this letter in respect of the above subject matter.

“We have the instructions of Comrade Joe Ajaero to inform you that he is unable to honour 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.

“Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered, Comrade Ajaero requests 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.”

Journalists, who visited the headquarters of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at Guzape junction in Abuja yesterday, confirmed that the letter had been delivered.

A senior police officer, who did not want to be named, said: “The interview has been cancelled. NLC officials came and they left. I think they only came to submit a document.”

Efforts to get an official reaction of the police on their next line of action were futile last night, as no one was willing to talk.

Also, the leadership of the NLC yesterday threatened to begin mass protests and strike should anything happen to Ajaero.

The umbrella labour union said the invitation of its leader was premised on a “clearly unfounded and politically motivated investigation by the police”.

NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) resolved that Ajaero would honour the police invitation but sought more time for him to appear before the police authorities.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting yesterday, the NLC urged its state councils and affiliates to remain on standby for further directives, should the police act contrary to their expectation.