The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero has turned down the invitation by the Nigerian Police Force, in relation to allegations of terrorism financing.

Ajaero, in a letter dated 20th August, 2024 and signed by Barr. Samuel Ogala of the Falana and Falana Chambers, said he is unable to appear before the police citing an engagement already slated for Tuesday (today), having received the invitation just on Monday.

The NLC President, while addressing the Deputy Commission of Police Inspector General of Police, Intelligence Response Team, Mohammed Ahmed Sanusi, said he will be available for the meeting on Wednesday, August 29, 2024 and asked for clarifications on the details of the meeting.

The letter reads in parts, “We have the instructions of Comrade Joe Ajaero to inform you that he is unable to honour your invitation on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 in view of the fact that your invitation letter was received by him yesterday.

“He has an engagement that had been fixed before the receipt of the invitation letter.

“Therefore, Comrade Ajaero is prepared for your interview on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.

“Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions of section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered, Comrade Ajaero requests for the details and nature of the allegations of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion and Cybercrime levelled against him,” the letter said.

Recall the Nigeria Police Force had summoned Ajaero for questioning over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, and other related offences.

The invitation letter, signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, warned that a warrant of arrest would be issued if Ajaero fails to comply.

On their part, the NLC accused the Federal Government of trying to suppress the voice of the workers by targeting its leadership.

Speaking after an emergency NEC meeting, the Deputy President NLC, Ado Sani Minjibir said that rather than issuing the apology demanded by the Congress for the earlier invasion of its national headquarters by security agencies, the Nigeria Police b has chosen to embark on a “Spurious and fortuitous journey of intimidation, harassment, and witch-hunting”.

According to Minjibir, the invitation is nothing but 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.

However, Minjibir said Ajaero would honour the invite, adding that this is not an acceptance of the various allegations labelled against the president.