By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA FCT – Human rights activist and senator that represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani has condemned the terrorism allegations levelled against the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, describing it as strange and unfortunate.
Comrade Sani gave the condemnation on his X account against the backdrop of the invitation for interview by the Police over alleged terrorism charges brought against him.
Similarly, the Amnesty International has condemned the terrorism-related allegations levelled against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Joe Ajaero.
The internal human rights group said the allegations are an attempt by the federal government to silence the union’s right to question governmental policies that affect them.
The group made the observation on Tuesday in a statement by its Nigeria’s office head, Isa Sanusi.
According to the group, it is deeply concerned by the threats to arrest Mr Ajaero, describing it as a fresh attempt to intimidate and harass the leadership of the workers’ union.
The international non-profit argued that this action violates various legal instruments, such as international human rights law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which protect freedom of association.
“The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse. Freedom of association is guaranteed, and workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities.
“We urge the authorities to end this pattern of brazen impunity and respect the right of the labour unions to agree or disagree with the government and its policies,” it said.
Precise Post recalls that the Nigerian Police on Monday invited Mr Ajaero to appear at 10 a.m. on Tuesday for an interview over an alleged terrorism-related case. They threatened to arrest him should he fail to honour the invitation.
Furthermore, the NLC’s legal team replied to the Police on Tuesday, saying Mr Ajaero could not honour the invitation as scheduled “in view of the fact that your invitation letter was received by him yesterday (Monday).”
“He has an engagement that had been fixed before the receipt of the invitation letter,” read the letter signed by Samuel Ogala, a lawyer from the law firm of Femi Falana, a prominent lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The letter sought a nine-day postponement of Mr Ajaero’s appearance for the interview.
“Therefore, Comrade Ajaero is prepared for your interview on Wednesday, 29 August 2024,” the letter said.
It also requested the police to provide “the details and nature of the allegations of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion and Cybercrime levelled against him”. The letter said the request is based on section 36 of the Nigerian constitution.
The police invitation came in the wake of a controversial police raid on the NLC headquarters in Abuja on 7 August.
