There are strong indications that the embattled president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, will face multiple charges, including extortion, alleged connections with wanted individuals, and a worrying attitude towards law enforcement agencies Intelligence community sources have said. However, The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of its president Joe Ajaero who was arrested by security agents on Monday. Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain. A statement signed by the NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said the union has put all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert in the light of “this troubling development.”According to the statement, Ajaero has been detained and his whereabouts or his state of health are yet to be ascertained “as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive. We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body. His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers.
“This is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship. Earlier today, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended Ajaero at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as he was about to board a flight to the United Kingdom (UK). The NLC leader was scheduled to attend a conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK. The credible sources, said that Ajaero’s arrest was unrelated to NLC matters or labour activities. “It was for personal reasons involving fraudulent activities perpetrated by the NLC President,” one source said. One major allegation involves Ajaero reportedly extorting funds from various businessmen and organisations. Among the complaints is a formal petition lodged by Air Peace, which has been forwarded to the appropriate security services. These serious claims suggest a troubling pattern of misconduct potentially extending beyond Ajaero’s role as a labor leader. It was gathered that investigations by another security arm, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), focus on Ajaero’s associations with a foreign national currently on the run in Nigeria. This individual is accused of involvement in clandestine activities that threaten national security, raising significant concerns about Ajaero’s potential complicity in these illicit operations.
“The NIA wants to determine the nature of Ajaero’s relationship and connection with the said foreigner,” a source explained. The high-ranking official commented on Ajaero’s conduct, describing it as arrogance and a blatant disregard for security protocols. “Ajaero, using his position as NLC President, has consistently shown arrogance and disdain towards Nigerian security forces, acting as if he is untouchable and above reproach. He has ignored multiple invitations from the police, choosing instead to engage on his own terms, which is viewed as both disrespectful and defiant,” the source remarked. Despite his efforts to frame the allegations as politically motivated and rally support from the NLC, security officials maintain that the issues are strictly personal. “These are not matters related to labour activism or the NLC and are not related to Nigerian workers or their welfare. He enjoys boasting that labour will go on a nationwide strike if Nigerian workers were his servants. Haba! These are personal allegations, and security agencies diligently pursue the investigation. His arrest has nothing to do with NLC or labour issues. It is over personal matters that our security agencies want to unravel,” the sources concluded.
NLC said “Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organisations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities. In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero. Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights organisations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria. The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law,” the NLC statement read in part. The union said it remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and will not be cowed by the oppressive tactics of the state.
“Once again, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions. We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country,” it added. The NLC also disclosed that the Organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public.
