Alleged terror financing: NLC president, Ajaero, honours police invitation, back in Labour House
The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has honoured the invitation of the police over alleged investigation of financial terrorism financing.
The NLC president was at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday. He was accompanied by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, and others.
He, however, left the Force Headquarters after meeting with the police Intelligence Response Team at about 11:15am. After writing a statement, Ajaero declined to speak to journalists at the IRT headquarters, but promised to speak at the Labour headquarters.
He was invited by the police over alleged terrorism financing, which had generated controversy with the NLC and other labour unions accusing the Federal Government of attempting to intimidate labour leaders.
Before honouring the invitation, labour members had gathered at the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday in solidarity with their President.
According to the police authorities, Ajaero is to answer questions on his alleged involvement in terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
The invitation came in the wake of a night raid by the police on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.
Earlier, the NLC National Executive Council held an emergency meeting in the early hours of August 20, where they condemned the action.
The Council described the allegations against Ajaero as trumped-up and politically motivated to silence organised labour.
They said that the police invitation to Ajaero was too short and asked for a postponement of his appearance.
Worried over the possible detention of Ajaero, the NLC leadership warned that it would embark on a nationwide strike should their President be arrested.
The union accused the Federal Government of harassing its leaders and has put its members and affiliates on red alert.
Deputy President of the Congress, Comrade Minjibir Ado issued the warning after an emergency meeting of the group’s National Executive Council on Auust 20.