Following the invitation of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, by the police on allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime, the labour movement yesterday said it will not be silenced by state-sponsored harassment, intimidation, attacks and persecution.

The NLC said it remained committed to its opposition to mass suffering and hunger occasioned by the anti-people policies of the Federal Government, saying some interest groups are doing everything possible to silence the current leadership of Congress.

It also called on Its affiliates to shut down the economy should Ajaero be arrested by the police.

This is as human rights activist and lawyer to the NLC, Chief Femi Falana, SAN, explained why Ajaero could not honour Police invitation for him to appear at the Force Headquarters yesterday, saying the labour leader can only appear on August 29.

Anger grows over Police invitation

These came as global workers’ groups and civil society organisations in the country, including Amnesty International Nigeria, ActionAid, among others, yesterday expressed angst against Ajaero’s invitation by the police.

One of the leaders of NLC, told Vanguard last night: “There are grand designs by some interest groups to silence NLC under the current leadership. But they fail to understand that we cannot be silenced.

“We are fighting a just cause. We have the right to express our views in a democracy. The workers elected us to fight and make demands for them. They are hungry, they are suffering, and they are dying and are in pain. These are what we are telling the government which they do not want to hear. These are the reasons they are after us, trying to cow us by all means.

“The operator of the bookshop (Iva Valley) has been on the second floor of Labour House for years. We did not bring him there. If he has issues with the police, what concerns us? We believe the state is using this as a cover-up. They aim to emasculate Labour because of their vested interest.”

NLC alerts global labour bodies

Meanwhile, NLC has intimated the international community, the International Labour Organisation, ILO, and the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, over the harassment, intimidation, and Police summoning of its President, Joe Ajaero over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.

Also, lawyers, under the Abuja Human Rights Lawyers and Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, led by Deji Adeyanju, and his group yesterday stormed Labour House, which is NLC headquarters, to show solidarity and vowed to follow the NLC President to the Police station whenever he was honouring the invitation.

According to lawyers, if need be, the Police should be prepared to arrest and detain all of them, alongside the NLC President.

Rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, who confirmed this, said: “Yes, a coalition of Abuja lawyers just submitted a letter to the Police from Femi Falana, SAN, on behalf of NLC. Myself and three other lawyers, under the leadership of Femi Falana, did so today (yesterday).”

Vanguard gathered that NLC leaders, besides sending the communiqué of the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of yesterday to ILO, ITUC, has also intimated the international community of the grave developments of state harassment, intimidation, molestation of NLC and its leadership.

ITUC express concerns

Already, the ITUC, which represents 191 million members of 337 affiliates in 167 countries and territories, including Nigeria, has raised the alarm over what it described as escalating attacks on the trade union movement in Nigeria.

ITUC in a statement by its General Secretary Luc Triangle, said: ITUC is gravely concerned by the escalating attacks on the trade union movement in Nigeria.

‘’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 13 people were killed by security forces 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 situation in Nigeria is deeply concerning. These 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 systematic contravention of ILO conventions by the Nigerian government, particularly those related to freedom of association and the right to organise.

“Nigeria is a leader in Africa, it is important that the government there sets a good example regarding respect for human and labour rights and the rule of law. We call on the government to stop these attacks, including the intimidation and judicial harassment of Joe Ajaero and the NLC.”

ITUC Africa warns of dire consequences

Similarly, ITUC Africa, in a statement by General Secretary, Joel Odigie, said: “On behalf of the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), I am writing to express our grave concern and condemnation regarding the ongoing and egregious persecution of trade union leaders in Nigeria, specifically targeting the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its President, Joe Ajaero.

“It has come to our attention that Comrade Ajaero has been summoned by the Nigeria Police Force for interrogation on charges including ‘criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cyber-crime,’ as per the letter dated August 19, 2024.

“This action, accompanied by threats of arrest, is deeply troubling and appears to be a blatant misuse of state powers against trade union leaders exercising their fundamental rights.

“This conduct contravenes several international and national instruments designed to protect workers’ rights and freedoms as stipulated below: ILO Convention No. 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948): Guarantees the right of workers to freely organize and protect their interests without interference from the authorities. ILO Convention No. 98 (Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949): Ensures that workers and employers are free to engage in collective bargaining without fear of reprisal.

“Nigerian’s Constitution under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution protects the rights of citizens to assemble freely and associate with others, including the formation of and membership in trade unions.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Article 20(1) asserts the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR: Article 22 guarantees the right to freedom of association and the ability to join trade unions.

“The recent actions against the NLC and its leaders, including the raid on their headquarters and the subsequent threats to Ajaero are an affront to these established rights and freedoms.

“Such measures not only undermine the principles of democracy and the rule of law, but also stifle legitimate dissent and undermine the role of trade unions in advocating for workers’ rights and social justice.”

Nigerian govt targeting NLC leaders, Amnesty International alleges

Reacting to the development yesterday, Amnesty International Nigeria raised alarm over what it described as a concerted effort by the Nigerian government to undermine and intimidate the Nigerian Labour Congress and its leadership.

In a statement, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, condemned the fresh allegations of terrorism levelled against the NLC and its leaders, calling them a blatant attempt to cripple the union.

“Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Nigerian authorities’ fresh attempts to further intimidate and harass the Nigerian Labour Congress through threats of arrest of its President Joe Ajaero,” Sanusi said.

He emphasised that the government’s actions are a clear violation of international human rights laws, particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees the freedom of association.

“Workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities,” he added.

Sanusi highlighted that in the past year, there had been an alarming increase in attempts by the Nigerian government to silence the NLC, a pattern he described as a “new low in this government’s human rights records.”

He recounted a series of incidents, including the assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero last November, when he was allegedly beaten and blindfolded by Police officers in collaboration with thugs sponsored by the Imo State government.

“No one was held to account for the assault,” Sanusi noted, expressing concern over the impunity surrounding the case.

The group stated further: “The Nigerian government is clearly and unlawfully interfering with the functioning of an independent workers union by targeting its leaders with baseless accusations that are gradually crippling the activities of the union,” Sanusi stated.

Ajaero’s invitation disturbing – Yiaga Africa

Reacting to the invitation of the NLC boss by the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, the Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo said: “This invitation is a bit troubling and disturbing because some of the allegations the police are making are quite tough and serious allegations that cannot be ignored.

“So, I think that as a country, we need to really rise to the occasion to protect the rights of people who occupy leadership positions that hold government to account.

“Ajaero’s ordeal, which is an attack on his personality is not new. If you recall during the Imo elections, he was assaulted and brutalized, the NLC office was raided, and all linked to the #EndBadGovernance protest were also harassed.

“That this invitation is coming right after #EndBadGovernance protest is concerning, the Police need to be a lot more open and transparent to know what offence he has committed.

“But what is critical is to know that he is innocent until proven guilty and this is why those allegations are still allegations, they need to be proven.

“But I hope this is not an attempt to stifle dissent or an attempt to clampdown on individuals and organisations that speak and criticize government policies and actions.’’

The Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, said: “We are deeply shocked and concerned by the ongoing attempts to incriminate, silence, and blackmail the leadership of Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, for its efforts to champion the rights and well-being of Nigerian workers.

“CISLAC recalls 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 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.’

“The invitation, detailed in an official letter, requires the President of the NLC to appear for an interview on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the IRT complex in Guzape District, Abuja.

“While we do not oppose a Police investigation, we insist that it must be conducted in an open and transparent manner. This investigation must continue so that Nigerians can clearly see that the government is not fabricating allegations. The integrity of both the NLC and the Police is at stake.”

We demand thorough investigation — ActionAid

Speaking on the invitation of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, Andrew Mamedu said: “I think there are laws governing the country with regards to invitation, so the question is are we following the laid down rules and regulations for inviting the NLC President.

“No one is above the law except you have immunity, which are very few persons in the country, and of course if you have immunity, after your tenure you will be prosecuted.

“For him (Ajero) to be invited, we have to dig deep into it and see the issues that are being alleged; are they actually correct and true? He has the right to fair hearing and he should be heard.

“It then becomes a norm where somebody is being hounded from what happened in Imo State to the ransacking of the offices at the NLC national secretariat to now being invited, maybe government is trying to keep that arm of civil society quiet because he is the leader of the labour movement and he is being outright in criticizing and engaging with the government, which is the labour movement’s requirements.

“If it is all because he is doing that and that is why all of these charges are being brought up, it is not good for our democracy. Our democracy will thrive if you allow every citizen, group to play their role, so NLC has got its role.’’

Why Ajaero turned down Police invitation

Earlier, rights activist and lawyer to the NLC, Chief Femi Falana, SAN, explained why the NLC President could not honour the Police invitation yesterday.

According to him, the NLC President had fixed an engagement for August 20 before the Police invitation was sent to him on Monday and promised to be available at the Police headquarters on August 29.

Chief Falana, in a letter to the Inspector-General of Police, through DCP Mohammed Ahmed Sanusi, also requested the Police to furnish him with details of the allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime levelled against him.

The letter, titled “Re: Letter of Invitation,” which was signed by Samuel Ogala, read: “We are Solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress and its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on whose behalf we write this letter in respect of the above subject matter.

“We have the instructions of Comrade Joe Ajaero to inform you that he is unable to honour your invitation on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, because your invitation letter was received by him yesterday (Monday). 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 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.

“While awaiting your positive response to this letter, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.”

NLC directs workers to shut down economy

Meantime, rising from its National Executive Council, NEC, yesterday, NLC directed its affiliates and allies in the country to immediately shut down the economy if the Police arrests the Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

Briefing workers who had assembled at Labour House in solidarity with the Congress President, NLC Deputy President, Kabiru Ado Sani, said the invitation to Ajaero was an invitation to workers.

He said: “At the end of the meeting, we reached some certain resolutions. Part of the resolutions is that, as a committed labour centre, we agreed or that we abide by the rule of law and due process.

“We will honour the invitation of the Nigerian police because we are not a faceless organization, but we believe that we need an extension of time, after consultation with our lawyers, because this invitation was extended to the Congress President yesterday (Monday) and asked to report at the police by 10am today (yesterday).

“So we are already working with our lawyers to look for extension of time, but this does not legitimize the charges by the Nigerian police to the Congress leadership, and secondly, we resolve that in an event our Congress president was arrested or detained at any moment, we put our affiliates on red alert to mobilize our membership across the country, that all workers in this country should down tools.

“This is the resolution because comrades, this organization belongs to all of us, therefore, we should do everything possible to safeguard the safety of this organization. We, therefore, thank you very much, and you should wait for further directives by our leadership.

“Whatever happens, we will communicate your leadership, and your leadership will communicate you. So we urge you to remain calm and go back peacefully to our work place and await further directives.”

Electricity workers kick

Reacting yesterday, the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, in a statement by its Acting General Secretary, Iwebike Dominic, said: “NUEE notes with utter dismay the political machinations surrounding the police invitation of its general secretary cum president of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, as a purported fall out of the politically motivated investigation into alleged trump-up charges of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy and treasonable felony against him.

“It is not only embarrassing but childish and clueless for the Federal Government to take to the antics of witch-hunting, harassment, intimidation and name-calling, instead of coming out openly to apologize to the Congress and its leadership for the unlawful invasion of NLC national headquarters a few days ago.

“The choice by the government to stifle labour and free speech in the country as a tool to compel Nigerians to continue to suffer in silence in the face of government policies that are not favorable to the people, is quite deploring.

“Those in government, especially elected leaders, should be mindful of their actions in times like this, if they have the love of the country at heart. It is so painful to see this happening in a democracy where it is supposed to be government of the people, by the people and for the people.

“Thus, we are using this medium to call on our national, zonal, state and chapter leadership to commence immediate mobilization of our teaming members in generation, transmission and distribution to withdrawal our services in the event that Comrade Joe Ajaero is arrested.”

Textile union directs members to prepare for strike

Similarly, the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, directed its members nationwide to prepare for industrial action should the Police arrest Ajaero.

Leaders of NUTGTWN at the 91st Central Working Committee, CWC, meeting of the union yesterday, raised the alarm over the increasing harassment, intimidation and attacks on the leadership of the NLC.

A communiqué Issued by the President and General Secretary, Peters Godonu and Ali Baba, respectively, read: “CWC-in-session condemns the continuous attempt by the current administration to suppress, weaken, harass and intimidate the labour union in Nigeria and its leaders.

“In particular, the CWC condemns the recent raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress by overzealous security operatives and the ensuing invitation of NLC President, Joe Ajaero, by the Nigeria Police Force for questioning over allegation of terrorism.

“The CWC notes that the continuous attack on NLC and its President by security operatives is unlawful, provocative, undemocratic and grossly unacceptable. It calls for a stop to violation of the rights of workers and the abuse of power against an independent institution, such as NLC.

“Such actions by security forces are capable of eroding public trust and confidence in institutions that are supposed to protect and serve the people.”

CDWR demands an end to intimidation

In its reaction, Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights, CDWR, condemned the invasion of the headquarters of the NLC and the invitation of Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, on trumped-up criminal allegations by the Police’s IRT.

In a statement, CDWR’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Bosah, said: “We have not forgotten that Joe Ajaero was attacked and beaten up in Imo State by state-sponsored thugs and security agents in November 2023 which led to his hospitalization.

“It is clear that President Tinubu-led regime is now a civilian dictatorship which uses brute force to crush all dissenting views and genuine opposition. We are now back to the dark days of the military where activists were arrested, abducted, detained, tortured and sometimes killed.

“In addition to what happened during the military regimes, wherein the police and military were regularly used to attack activists, the Tinubu government is enlisting the judiciary, gangs and thugs to repress democratic and constitutional rights.

“The government has also started to freeze bank accounts belonging to non-governmental organisations, NGOs, and pro-people organisations. We condemn this arm-twisting and repressive tactics of the government.

“These attacks are clear warnings to the leadership of the NLC, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, and other pro-people organizations to commence the process of organizing resistance to this ever-increasing and dangerous tyranny.

“It is a grave error for the leadership of NLC and TUC to allow the Tinubu-led government to implement devastating economic policies and only resort to bargain improved minimum wage, an act that is welcomed but not enough to mitigate the consequences of anti-poor policies.

“Aside from the fact that many state governments will not pay unless compelled to do so through mass struggle, the little gains of the N70,000 poverty wage will be neutralised soon by the rising cost of living.

“There is an urgent need for the trade union leadership to adequately mobilize for mass protest and strike in response to all anti-people policies, hardship and hunger in the land and attacks on democratic rights.

‘’This is the only way the enemies of the working people and masses can be resisted and defeated. Besides, the trade union leadership should mobilize the working masses and youth for a political alternative by forming and building a working people’s party to challenge and defeat these self-serving capitalist parties.” (Vanguard)

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