Terrorism financing:  What NLC President told Police — Sources

Details of yesterday’s Police interrogation of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime by the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, arm of the Police, have emerged.

Recall that the Police had on August 19, invited the NLC President to appear at its headquarters for questioning on August 20, over the allegation.

Vanguard exclusively gathered yesterday that the Police “interview” with the NLC President was attended by human rights activists, Femi Falana, SAN, Maxwell Opara, Deji Adeyanju and the leader of IRT, DCP Sanusi Mohammed.

According to sources, operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, and National Intelligence Agency, NIA, were also at the session.

Source said the interrogation which did not last up to 30 minutes, was essentially on the operator of the Iva Valley Bookshop on the second floor of Labour House.

One of the sources told Vanguard that in response, Ajaero  said the suspect was only a tenant of NLC and that their relationship was that of landlord-tenat.

Ajaero was also said to have told his interrogators that the suspect doses not consult for the NLC, neither was there any telephone co0nversation or written communication between them.

“At some point, Comrade Ajaro was almost infuriated because they (interrogators) were just calling Joseph Ajaero without  reference to his official position as NLC President. 

‘’In a normal situation, the Police ought to have just called the NLC president for the invitation and not write him.  They failed to do so  because of their sinister motives. In all, it was like a friendly chat that did not last up to 30 minutes,’’ the source said.

Invitation, a distraction, baseless

Meanwhile, addressing journalists at Labour House on his return from Force Headquarters, Ajaero said the whole thing was a distraction because the allegation was baseless, declaring that the labour movement could not be intimidated..

He said:  “Comrades, I want to thank every one of you in various state commands who have been praying since the last four days and can now break their fast.

“Comrades, the labour movement is worth dying for because of its patriotism and commitment. Labour movement is one of the biggest pan-Nigerian organizations. Our patriotism from the days of colonial government till even the period of the military was unshakable.

“We are more patriotic than any other institution you can think of in this country and we are going to continue to be that.

“We have gone there (Force Headquartres) and we are back.  I just want to confirm to you that as a citizen, I have gone there and we are back here. You can’t do this job (trade unionism) we are doing without this type of hazard, it is expected.

“This is the highlight of the job. Even at the unit level, some of us experience this. As far back as 1997, 1998 I was telling Falana, we were equally together in the cell enjoying ourselves during the time of Abacha.

“Comrades what is important is the circumstances that took us to that place. But whatever the case is, we are out to continue the struggle. We have got minimum wage but it has not been implemented. So we have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.’’

We can’t be intimidated, he says

He also declared that the union would not be intimidated by external pressures, following his appearance at the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, headquarters in Abuja.

“We can’t be intimidated.  The allegations against us are baseless and we have nothing to hide,’’ he stated emphatically.

Ajaero explained further that his appearance before the Police was in the interest of transparency and to clear the air on the unfounded accusations levelled against him and the NLC.

He noted that the union would continue to fight for the welfare of workers and stand firm in the face of challenges.

“Our resolve is stronger than ever.  We will continue to champion the cause of workers across the nation, no matter the obstacles,’’ he said.

Vanguard