A human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to call his officer to order not to undermine the democratic principles in the country with the threat of arrest of the President of Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC), Joe Ajaero over alleged terrorism financing.

He said Nigerians would not fold their hands and allow the country to descend into fascism.

He disclosed this in a statement he made available to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja.

The lawyer, while admitting that nothing wrong with the police invitation of the labour as part of the ongoing investigation, described the threat to arrest him as undemocratic and a premeditated decision of guilt.

He vowed that Nigerians would resist any attempt to turn the country into a dictatorship.

The statement read “ My Attention has been drawn to a letter issued by the Nigerian Police Force on the 19th day of August, 2024, purporting to invite the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajero, for an interview over a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime, in which his name was allegedly mentioned. The letter concluded with a threat of arrest if Mr. Joe Ajero does not honour the invitation.

“While I recognise the fact that the Nigerian Police Force has the power to invite anybody in relation to ongoing investigations, it is, however, imperative to sound a note of caution, as it appears from the invitation letter, that the Nigerian Police Force has already reached a premeditated decision on Joe Ajero’s guilt.

“I, therefore, call on the Inspector General of Police to call his officers to order and refrain from heating the polity, as we will not sit idle and watch Nigeria descend into fascism, the outcome of which no one can predict.” (Daily Independent)

Update news