Rita Odafe
The planned questioning of the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, by the police was not held on Thursday as expected due to Ajaero and the NLC Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, failing to show up at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja.
According to a Punch correspondent present at the FCID, both Ajaero and Ugboaja were absent, and they were supposed to respond to inquiries related to an ongoing investigation.
A source revealed that the NLC leaders had informed the investigating team beforehand that they would not be available for the scheduled questioning but would appear on September 25.
Legal counsel for the NLC, Femi Falana (SAN), who had accompanied Ajaero during his initial appearance on August 29, mentioned that the Labour leaders might request a delay in the interrogation process.
Falana further explained, “We requested a different date as Comrade Joe Ajaero had prior commitments outside Abuja today.”
The police are investigating Ajaero on charges of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony. The inquiry was initiated following a police raid at the NLC’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Allegations suggest a connection between the labour leader and a British national, Andrew Wynne, accused of funding the recent #EndBadGovernance or #Hunger protest with the aim of overthrowing President Bola Tinubu’s government.
In a letter following Ajaero’s initial appearance, the police requested his presence again on September 5, alongside the NLC General Secretary, to address allegations of criminal intimidation, actions likely to incite public disorder, and intentional property destruction.
The letter detailed, “As part of investigations into the reported case of criminal intimidation, actions that may lead to public disorder, and vandalism where your name was mentioned, you are asked to come with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), at SPO’s Room 112, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11 am.”
