Ajaero to Face Police Questioning on September 25 Over Terrorism Financing Allegations

The scheduled second interrogation of Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), by the police did not hold on Thursday as expected.

Ajaero and Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NLC Secretary, who was also invited, failed to appear at the police headquarters in Abuja.

Reports said that the NLC leaders had written to the investigators, stating they would not be available for questioning on Thursday.

A source disclosed that the labour leaders had requested to be rescheduled for September 25.

Femi Falana, counsel for the NLC, had hinted on Wednesday that the labour leaders might seek a postponement of the interrogation.

Falana explained that Ajaero had an engagement outside Abuja on Thursday, prompting the request for a new date.

The police are investigating Ajaero over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.

The invitation came after a night raid by the police on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja, allegedly linking Ajaero to a Briton, Andrew Wynne, accused of financing the recent #EndBadGovernance or #Hunger protest.

Following Ajaero’s first appearance on August 29, the police requested him to appear again on Thursday, September 5, alongside Ugboaja.

The police letter, signed by Commissioner of Police Ibitoye Alajide, requested their presence for questioning over alleged criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to property.

Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi promised to comment on the non-appearance of the invited labour leaders but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the federal government is more focused on arresting protesters than addressing the worsening insecurity in the country.

In a post on his X Page on Wednesday, A. Atiku denounced the terrorist attack in Yobe State on Sunday.