There is palpable annoyance in the country’s labour movement and the civil society space following the invitation of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero by the police over alleged terrorism financing.
Ajaero was billed to appear before the police yesterday, August 20, 2024, but he wrote to the Inspector General Police through his lawyers, requesting to appear on August 29.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have described the whole saga as an attempt to gag free speech while NLC’s legal representatives have formally requested that Ajaero’s interview be rescheduled.
In a letter addressed to the Inspector-General of Police through the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mohammed Ahmed Sanusi yesterday, the NLC’s legal team, led by Samuel Ogala, explained that the short notice of the invitation, which was delivered just a day prior, made it impossible for Ajaero to attend on the scheduled date.
Ajaero, through his lawyers, expressed his willingness to comply with the police’s request; however, he proposed an alternative date of August 29, 2024, for the interview.
The legal team also requested that the police provide detailed information regarding the allegations against Ajaero, including Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime, while citing section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
Meanwhile, the NLC has issued a warning of potential nationwide industrial action if the Nigeria Police Force detains its president, Ajaero, following the invitation.
The decision was reached after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) yesterday, during which the Council described the police action as an “unfounded and politically motivated investigation” targeting Ajaero.
The NEC, in a communiqué signed by NLC deputy president Comrade Ado Sani Minjibir expressed deep concern at the Nigeria Police Force’s invitation.
According to the communique, the council viewed these allegations as baseless and a continuation of the state’s efforts to intimidate and silence the labour movement.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the NLC stated that its president would honour the police invitation but requested an extension of time.
However, the NEC clarified that compliance to the invitation does not legitimise the charges against Ajaero.
The labour centre also condemned the ongoing harassment of labour leaders, calling it a “calculated attempt to weaken and destabilise the labour movement.”
The NEC directed all affiliates and state councils to mobilise their members nationwide, as it warned that any harm to Ajaero or any other leader would trigger an indefinite nationwide strike, effective from midnight today.
Part of the communiqué reads, “The NEC notes with grave concern that rather than extending the apology demanded by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police has chosen to embark on this spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting.
“This is a travesty and a blatant attempt to stifle the voice of the working people and their leadership, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98.
“As a responsible labour centre committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honour the invitation extended to its president by the Nigeria Police but will demand an extension of time given the nature of the invitation.
“The NEC directs all affiliates and state councils to mobilise their members nationwide immediately. The Congress will not hesitate to take all necessary actions, including mass protests and industrial actions, to protect the integrity and independence of the labour movement.”
ITUC condemns ongoing intimidation of trade unions in Nigeria
On Tuesday, the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, said it was gravely concerned by the escalating attacks on the trade union movement in Nigeria.
Expressing great concern about the alleged attacks and harassment of labour leaders in Nigeria, ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle said, “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.
“Earlier this month, heavily armed security forces raided and occupied the headquarters of the ITUC-affiliated NLC, arresting a union worker and wrecking the organisation’s bookshop.
“Reports indicated that security forces killed 13 people during a protest for economic justice.
“Since 2023, Nigerian trade unions have faced a campaign of harassment and intimidation, including the violent assault of Joe Ajaero in November.”
The ITUC General Secretary described the situation in Nigeria as deeply concerning and said the latest events come on the back of a sharp rise in intimidation and repression of trade unions.
“This includes the harassment of activists, the violation of collective bargaining rights and the violent suppression of peaceful protests. We see the Nigerian government’s systematic contravention of ILO conventions, particularly those related to freedom of association and the right to organise.
“Nigeria is a leader in Africa, and it is essential that the government set an excellent example regarding respect for human and labour rights and the rule of law.”
ITUC called on the government to stop these attacks, including the “intimidation and judicial harassment” of NLC President Joe Ajaero and the NLC.
CSOs express shock, say it is a gag plot
Meanwhile, civil society organisations have expressed shock and concern about what they described as the ongoing attempts to incriminate, silence, and blackmail the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for its efforts to champion the rights and well-being of Nigerian workers.
According to the CSOs, if Nigerians do not rise up, this will be an attempt to gag free speech, with journalists, credible civil society organisations, ASUU, and other trade unions being the next targets.
The CSOs who spoke to LEADERSHIP are the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Transparency International (TI) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
Speaking through their leader, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, the CSOs recalled that on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, the NLC complex, popularly known as Labour House, was suddenly besieged by heavily armed security personnel.
“This invasion occurred just hours after the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting, where members condemned the heavy-handed tactics employed by security agents during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
“Furthermore, the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, has been summoned by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT) over allegations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.’
“While we do not oppose a police investigation, we insist it must be conducted openly and transparently. This investigation must continue so that Nigerians can see that the government is not fabricating allegations. The integrity of the NLC and the police are at stake,” the CSOs said.
The groups said that Nigerians can only regain confidence in the security agencies through transparent and credible investigation.
According to the CSOs, many Nigerians are frustrated by the government’s failure to bring justice to known criminals, including terrorist financiers, kidnappers, bandits, and corrupt public officials who openly terrorise citizens.
“The recent kidnapping of the Emir of Gobir, along with a video from the bandits demanding ransom, is a stark reminder of this issue. Despite these blatant acts, the police have been unable to track down these perpetrators, raising serious questions about their effectiveness.
“In contrast, security forces have been recorded shooting and harming innocent protesters using live ammunition, even those outside designated protest areas, who are speaking out against issues like insecurity, hunger, and unemployment.
“This situation reflects a serious misplacement of priorities. The police must prove that they are not being used to undermine the legitimate struggles of the citizenry,” Rafsanjani added.
He said it is disheartening that the police officers involved in these actions are themselves victims of poor governance, substandard living conditions, and loss of life, with even retired officers struggling to receive their benefits due to the corrupt system in the country.
“This action worries us, as it tends to further damage the global reputation of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, being seen as an attempt to suffocate civil space. This could have severe consequences for Nigeria’s image on the international stage,” he said, even as he advised the President must make a personal effort to check those who are demarketing his administration with these brutal violations of the rights of peaceful Nigerians.
“We urge non-state actors to recognise this as a wake-up call, as desperate politicians may attempt similar tactics to frame journalists, credible civil society organisations, ASUU, other trade unions, and non-violent mass democratic organisations. The integrity of our democratic institutions is at serious risk,” he stated.
