The planned second round of questioning for the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, by the police did not take place on Thursday as both Ajaero and the NLC Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, who were summoned, were absent from the police headquarters in Abuja. A source familiar with the situation mentioned that the NLC leaders had informed investigators of their unavailability for the day and scheduled to appear on September 25 instead.
The NLC’s counsel, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), who had accompanied Ajaero to the police headquarters previously, indicated that the labor leaders might request a postponement of the interrogation, explaining that Ajaero had prior commitments outside Abuja on that day.
Ajaero is being questioned by the police on accusations related to terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony, following a police raid on the NLC national secretariat. The police are investigating alleged connections between Ajaero and Andrew Wynne, a Briton accused of financing recent protests in the country aimed at undermining the government.
After the initial appearance on August 29, the police sent another letter requesting Ajaero and the NLC General Secretary to appear on September 5 for questioning concerning criminal intimidation, actions likely to incite public unrest, and property damage.
The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, was contacted for a statement on the absence of the labor leaders but had not responded by the time of the report.