Police, Again, Summons NLC President, Ajaero, Charges Him With Criminal Intimidation, Breach Of Peace

By Adesina Soyooye

For the second time within days, the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has summoned the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero. This time, he is being charged with alleged criminal intimidation, conducts likely to to cause breach of peace, and more.

Invited with Ajaero is the National Secretary of the NLC, Emma Ugboaja.

In the letter dated August 28, 2024, entitled “Investigation activities, Investigation Letter”, signed by Commissioner of Police Operations, Ibitoye Rufus Alajide, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence,  Department, Ajaero and Ugboaja were asked to appear on September 5, 2024.

The letter reads:

“In furtherance of Investigations into the alleged case of criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause breach of public peace and malicious damage of properties in which your name featured.

“You are requested to come along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence  Department, FID, through the undersigned at SPO’s Room 112, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, 5th September, 2024 at 11am.

“On arrival, you may wish to call Usman on GSM number 08039659139.

“Your cooperation in this regard is highly solicited, please.

This invitation summoning Ajaero and Ugboaja comes less than 24 hours after Ajaero had honoured an earlier invitation by the Police on Thursday, August 29, at the Force’s IRT office.

In that invitation, Ajaero had been alleged to have committed offences which ranged from terrorism, its financing, treasonable felony, criminal conspiracy, subversion, cybercrime.

He was invited in a letter dated August 19, 2024, to appear the next day, August 20. Ajaero was threatened with a bench warrant if he failed to appear.

However, through his Lawyer,  Femi Falana, SAN, Ajaero declined the 20th date, and requested to appear on August 29, instead because of previous  commitments.

The NLC and affiliates had threatened fire and brimstone if its President was arrested and/or detained by the Police.

However, when he appeared on the 29th, it was an anti-climax. None of the serious allegations they reeled out in the letter of invitation was a subject of the interrogation. He wrote his statement, and was only asked about a foreign tenant in the NLC National Headquarters, Abuja.

He spent a little over an hour and allowed to leave. He was accompanied by Falana and a couple of other Lawyers.

Like was the case in the earlier invitation, not a few Nigerians are wondering where the new set of allegations against Ajaero and Ugboaja is coming from.