Police invite NLC president for interrogation over ‘terrorism financing’
The Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has invited Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) over alleged terrorism financing and criminal conspiracy.
The invitation was contained in a letter signed by Adamu Muazu, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, and sent to the NLC boss.
Recall that Benson Upah, spokesperson of the NLC had earlier stated that security operatives invaded the second floor of its headquarters, ransacked the bookshop on it and went away with several printed materials.
However, the police confessed to invading an office inside the NLC headquarters building but disclosed that NLC was not the target of the raid.
Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer said, “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to clarify that a prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a shop within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja.”
Ajaero is expected to appear before the IRT for questioning on Tuesday at the command’s complex at Guzape junction Abuja over alleged treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.
“The office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion and Cybercrime in which you were mentioned.
‘’You are therefore invited to interview the undersigned on Tuesday 20th Aug 2024 by 10:00 am prompt, at IRT Complex, Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja, through the Team Leader with telephone no 08035179870 in connection with the above investigation,” the letter partly read.
The IRT bragged to apprehend the NLC president should he refuse to make himself available for questioning on the said invite.
The letter added, “Be informed that in the event of failing to honour this letter, this office will have no alternative than to activate a warrant of arrest against you, please.”
While confirming the invite Upah said the letter of invitation signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Intelligence dated August 19, 2024, says Ajaero’s name was mentioned in ongoing investigations connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.”
Accordingly, the letter directed Ajaero to report at the IRT Complex, Abbattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20 at 10 am, threatening that a warrant of arrest would be issued against him if he failed to report.
Upah disclosed that “a personal message sent to. Comrade Joe Ajaero by SP Moshood said, “We were at the Labour House to submit this (letter of invitation) but the place was locked, sir.”
“We find this curious because the staff were in the office beyond 6 pm. We also note that Comrade Joe Ajaero was not addressed by his official title of President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Preceding the raid, Congress had advised the government to dialogue with the organisers of the protest even as Congress had clearly stated it was not part of the protest.
The spokesperson of the NLC added that the Congress criticised the police for the high casualty rate during the protest.
“Congress in its NEC communique after the raid expressed outrage at the behaviour of the police and demanded an apology from both the police and government.”
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