Alleged Terrorism Financing: Police To Grill Joe Ajaero Sept. 25

The anticipated second interrogation of Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), by law enforcement authorities did not take place on Thursday, September 5.

It was observed that both Ajaero and NLC Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, who had also been summoned, failed to appear at the police headquarters in Abuja.

Journalists who were present at the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja where the Labour leaders were scheduled to be interrogated, did not observe either Ajaero or Ugboaja around the vicinity.

Nevertheless, a source acquainted with the matter told PUNCH newspaper that the NLC leaders had informed the investigators of their unavailability for the scheduled date.

“They did not show up. I am aware they have written those handling their case that they wouldn’t be coming today. They asked them to expect them on September 25,” the source reportedly said.

The legal representative for the NLC, Femi Falana (SAN), who accompanied Ajaero to the police headquarters for his initial appearance on August 29, informed newsmen on Wednesday that the Labour leaders may potentially request a delay in the interrogation.

Speaking further on the matter on Thursday, Falana said, “We wrote for another date as Comrade Joe Ajaero has an engagement outside Abuja today.”

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It is worth noting that police are currently investigating Ajaero regarding accusations related to financing terrorism, engaging in cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.

This inquiry follows a police operation that took place at the NLC national secretariat in Abuja during the night.

The police have suggested a connection between the labor leader and a British national, Andrew Wynne, who is alleged to have funded the recent #EndBadGovernance or #Hunger protests aimed at potentially destabilizing the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

After Ajaero’s initial appearance on August 29, the police issued another communication, signed by Commissioner of Police Operations, Ibitoye Alajide, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, Abuja, requesting his presence again on Thursday, September 5, along with the NLC General Secretary, to address inquiries regarding alleged criminal intimidation, actions that may disrupt public order, and intentional property damage.

The letter read: “In furtherance of investigations into the alleged case of criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause breach of public peace and malicious damage to properties in which your name featured, you are requested to come along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, FID, through the undersigned, at SPO’s Room 112, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, 5th September 2024 at 11 am.”