The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in response to the police invitation extended to its National President, Joe Ajaero, on charges related to terrorism financing.
The NEC meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at Olaitan Oyerinde Hall, Labour House. All heads of NLC affiliates and state chapters are expected to attend. The notice of the meeting, signed by NLC Secretary General Emmanuel Ugboaja, stated, “I bring you fraternal greetings from the congress headquarters. You are invited to the emergency National Executive Council Hybrid meeting scheduled as follows: Tuesday, August 20, 2024; 8 a.m. Olaitan Oyerinde Hall, Labour House.”
The police have invited Ajaero to answer charges including “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.” The invitation letter, dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Intelligence, directed Ajaero to report to the IRT Complex, Abbattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20, at 10 a.m. The letter warned that a warrant of arrest would be issued if Ajaero failed to report.
In addition to the police invitation, security agents conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja on July 7. The police claimed the operation aimed to uncover incriminating documents related to an international “subversive” figure deemed a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
The NLC has rejected the police’s explanation for the raid, demanding the release of its members and seized documents. The Congress has also criticised government attempts to interfere with its internal affairs, including a proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders.
