BREAKING: Police Re-Invites Joe Ajaero, NLC Secretary Over Fresh Allegations

Police have re-invited Joe Ajaero and the NLC Secretary over fresh allegations concerning criminal intimidation, malicious property damage, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and the Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, have been re-invited by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in connection with allegations of criminal intimidation, malicious property damage, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

This latest development follows an earlier invitation where Ajaero faced accusations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”

In a letter dated August 28, 2024, signed by CP Rufus Alajide for the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), the police explained that this second invitation stems from an ongoing investigation.

The letter further detailed that the two labour leaders are to report to the FID Complex in Abuja on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11 a.m.

The letter reads: “In furtherance of investigations into the alleged case of Criminal Intimidation, Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of Public Peace and Malicious Damage to 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.”

This comes after Ajaero and Ugboaja had previously honoured an initial police invitation on August 24, 2024, where the NLC President, alongside the union’s legal counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), emphasized that the union’s actions are guided by patriotism despite ongoing challenges.

It has since emerged that the latest police invitation stems from a petition filed by a private company.

According to sources close to the case, the company accused the NLC leadership of disrupting their operations, leading to the new probe.

“The matter of terrorism financing has been concluded. This new invitation is based on a fresh petition by a company over what they described as disruptions,” a source familiar with the case disclosed.

NLC counsel, Femi Falana, confirmed the development, stating, “A few months ago, a private company lodged a complaint against the leadership of the NLC in respect of the picketing of its premises by workers.

“The complaints against Comrade Joe Ajaero are limited to criminal intimidation, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, and malicious damage to properties.”