AJAERO SNUBS POLICE INVITATION ON TERRORISM FINANCING, OTHERS

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President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, on Tuesday, August 20, refused to honour an invitation by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for an interview regarding the allegation of terrorism financing, amongst other heavy allegations against him.

The labour leader, however, said he would honour the invitation next Wednesday, August 29, 2024, saying he had already scheduled other engagements for today.

On Monday, the police summoned Ajaero for questioning over an alleged link to terrorism financing, cybercrime and other allegations.

This was contained in a letter issued from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence Response Team, Department of Force Intelligence.

The letter, which was signed by Adamu S. Muazu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, threatened that failure to honour the invitation would lead to arrest.

But Ajaero, speaking through a letter written to the police by his lawyer, Falana Chambers, expressed readiness to answer all questions the police wanted to pose to him during the interview on the allegations.

Reports have it that the letter, which was signed by Samuel Ogala for principal Partner of the Chamber, said Ajaero was requesting the details of the allegations levelled against him.

The letter reads in part: “We are solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress and its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on whose behalf we write this letter in respect of the above subject matter.

“We have the instructions of Comrade Joe Ajaero to inform you that he is unable to honour your invitation on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, 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. Therefore, Comrade Ajaero is prepared for your interview on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.

“Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered, Comrade Ajaero requests the details and nature of the allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime levelled against him.

“While awaiting your positive response to this letter, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem”.

Our correspondent who visited the headquarters of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad, located at Guzape junction, Abuja, Tuesday morning confirmed that the letter has been delivered.

A senior police officer who pleaded anonymity said: “The interview has been cancelled. The labour people came and they left. I think they only came to submit a document.

All efforts to get the official reaction of the police on the next line of action were futile as no one was willing to talk.