Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Counsel to the Nigeria Labour Congress, Femi Falana has on Monday clarified that Ajaero’s arrest by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) was not connected to the earlier invitation by the police.
It would be recalled that Ajaero had been invited by the police to the IRT headquarters on August 20 by 10 am to answer questions on his alleged involvement in terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
The invitation was later rescheduled.
However, Ajaero was arrested by DSS operatives on Monday morning while on his way to the United Kingdom.
Speaking on the incident in an interview with PUNCH, Falana said, “The invitation to Comrade Joe Ajaero by the police was rescheduled last week. I have contacted the police authorities. The arrest is not related to the police invitation.
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“Comrade Ajaero was on his way to London to attend the ongoing TUC Conference when he was arrested at the airport this morning by the SSS. No reason has been provided for the arrest by the SSS.”
Meanwhile, the NLC, following the detention of its President, Joe Ajaero, by the Nigerian government while on his way to the United Kingdom to attend a global workers’ gathering, has commenced a closed-door meeting.
The Head of Public Relations, NLC, Benson Upah, made this known in an interview on Monday.
According to Upah, agents of the Nigerian State seized Ajaero without a legal warrant or formal instrument, and his whereabouts and health status are currently unknown.
The NLC has condemned the detention as a “brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation” and demanded Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release.
“The Congress has also called on the international community, human rights organizations, and democracy advocates to take note of the rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria.”
Ajaero, according to available information, was billed to address the Trade Union Congress in the UK on behalf of Nigerian workers, discussing critical issues like workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness.
Upah said, “The NLC has put its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on high alert and vowed to protect workers’ rights and not be cowed by oppressive tactics.
“The Congress is currently holding a closed-door meeting to discuss the situation, and the outcome will be made public soon.”
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