Femi Falana, lawyer to the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has said he will be unable to honour the August 20 (today) Nigeria Police Force’s invitation
By Emma Ogbuehi
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, lawyer to the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has said he will be unable to honour the August 20 (today) Nigeria Police Force’s invitation. Ajaero would rather be available on 29, Falana stated.
This, he said, is due to a prior engagement schedules Ajaero had before the invitation was received.
The police had on Monday invited Ajaero for questioning over allegations of terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cybercrime and other related offences.
According to the invitation letter dated August 19, and signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, the police warned that a warrant of arrest would be issued if Ajaero failed to appear for interrogation on Tuesday.
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However, in a letter dated August 20 and signed by Samuel Ogala on behalf of Femi Falana, it was noted that the NLC president was unavailable and would honour the invitation on Wednesday, August 29, 2024.
The letter read, “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.
“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.”
Citing section 36 of the 1999 constitution, Falana requested the details of the allegations levelled against Ajaero.
“Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions of section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered, Comrade Ajaero requests for 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,” the letter added.
NLC and the Police have been at opposing ends since Wednesday, August 7 invasion of the NLC secretariat, Abuja by security agents. The police in explaining the raid, said it was looking for an unnamed foreign criminal.
