Authorities have summoned Ajaero for questioning on September 25 regarding alleged involvement in terrorism financing, as investigations into the matter intensify.
Joe Ajaero, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, and Emmanuel Ugboaja, who was also summoned for interrogation were scheduled to be questioned by police on Thursday. However, they both failed to appear at the Abuja headquarters leading to cancellation of the second session as planned.
Ajaero and Ugboaja were expected to appear for questioning at the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja, but our correspondent present did not spot either of them.
According to an insider, the NLC officials communicated with investigators stating their unavailability on Thursday.
According to the source, “Their absence was expected as they had notified those in charge of their case that they would not be able to make it today. They conveyed that September 25th is when we can expect them.”
Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), who represented the NLC and accompanied Ajaero to his first appearance at the police headquarters on August 29, informed one of our correspondents on Wednesday that there is a possibility for labor leaders to request a delay in interrogation.
Continuing to discuss the issue on Thursday, Falana stated that they had requested a different date due to Comrade Joe Ajaero’s prior commitment outside of Abuja for the day.
Ajaero is being interrogated by the police for suspicions related to financing terrorism, committing cybercrime, engaging in subversion and criminal conspiracy as well as potentially treasonable felony.
READ ALSO: Ajaero Returns to Labour House After Complying with Police Invitation
He extended his invitation after the police conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.
The police are claiming that the labour leader is connected to Andrew Wynne, a British national who has been charged with funding the #EndBadGovernance or #Hunger protests in an attempt to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.
After Ajaero’s initial appearance on August 29, the police issued another letter signed by Ibitoye Alajide, Commissioner of Police for Operations and Acting on behalf of Deputy Inspector General of Police at Force Intelligence Department in Abuja. The letter requested that both Ajaero and NLC General Secretary appear together again on Thursday, September 5 to address allegations pertaining to criminal intimidation, behavior leading towards public unrest as well as damage caused intentionally to property.
The letter stated that there was an investigation into criminal intimidation, public disturbance, and property damage involving the recipient’s name. Therefore, they were asked to meet with the Deputy Inspector General of Police at SPO’s Room 112 in FID Complex on Thursday September 5th, 2024 at 11 am along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview. The location is across from Force Headquarters Area which is located in Garki Abuja as indicated by the undersigned individual.
The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, assured our correspondent that he would revert when asked on Thursday about the absence of the invited labour leaders.
At the time of filing this report, he still hadn’t done it.
