Police invite Ajaero over alleged terrorism financing, treasonable felony

.Who wants Joe Ajaero out of circulation?, NLC asks

By Ukpono Ukpong

The Nigeria Police Force has invited the President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, for questioning over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, IRT, in a letter of invitation, said Ajaero should be at the IRT office today, Tuesday, August 20.

The invitation letter warned that a warrant of arrest would be issued if Ajaero fails to comply.

The letter of invitation signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner, dated August 19, titled Letter of invitation, read in part: “This office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion and Cybercrime in which you were mentioned.

“You are therefore invited to interview the undersigned on Tuesday 20th August, 2024 by 10:00 a.m. prompt, at IRT Complex, Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja, through the Team Leader with telephone No 08035179870 in connection with the above investigation.

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“Be informed that in the event of failing to honour this letter, this office will have no alternative than to activate a warrant of arrest against you please.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised critical questions about the police invitation of its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on serious allegations including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.

NLC, in a statement signed by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, on Monday, expressed deep concerns about the motives behind this sudden investigation, suggesting that there may be a concerted effort to silence its leadership.

The police invitation, dated August 19, 2024, and signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Intelligence, directed Ajaero to report at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Complex, located at the Abattoir by Guzape Junction, on Tuesday, August 20th, at 10:00 a.m.

The letter, however, warned that a warrant of arrest would be issued against him if he failed to comply.

This development follows an earlier police raid on the NLC headquarters, an incident that the Congress described as an act of intimidation.

The raid took place shortly after the NLC had urged the government to engage in dialogue with protest organisers, while clearly distancing itself from the protest.

“The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero has been invited by the Nigeria Police Force for “interview” on charges connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime”

“The letter of invitation signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of Commissioner of Police Intelligence dated August 19, 2024, says Ajaero’s name was mentioned in on-going investigations connected to ” criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime”.

“Accordingly, the letter directed Ajaero to report at the IRT Complex, Abattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20th at 10:00 threatening that a warrant of arrest would be issued against him if he failed to report.

“A personal message sent to Comrade Joe Ajaero by SP Moshood said, “We were at the Labour House to submit this (letter of invitation), but the place was locked sir”.

“We find this curious because staff were in the office beyond 6 pm.

“We also note that Comrade Joe Ajaero was not addressed by his official title of President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“Clearly, the last has not been heard about the raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“Preceding the raid, Congress had advised the government to dialogue with the organisers of the protest even as Congress had clearly stated it was not part of the protest.

“Congress criticised the police for the high casualty rate during the protest.

“Congress in its NEC communique after the raid expressed outrage at the behaviour of the police and demanded for an apology from both the police and government.

“At its World Press conference last Thursday, Congress had raised an alarm that should anything happen to the leadership of the Congress or any of its members, the police should be held accountable.

“The question on the lips of those in the know is, who wants Joe Ajaero out of circulation,” the statement read.