Senior Advocate of Nigeria and legal counsel to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Femi Falana, has clarified that the arrest of the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday was unrelated to his earlier invitation by the police.
Ajaero, who had been summoned by the police regarding allegations of a “threat to public peace,” had his police appointment rescheduled before his sudden arrest by the DSS.
According to reports, Ajaero was detained by the DSS at the airport on Monday morning while en route to London to attend the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Conference.
Falana, addressing journalists in Abuja, explained that he had communicated with police authorities, who confirmed that Ajaero’s arrest was not linked to their previous invitation.
He stated, “The invitation to Comrade Joe Ajaero by the police was rescheduled last week. I have contacted the police authorities. The arrest is not related to the police invitation.”
The prominent human rights lawyer further expressed concern over the lack of transparency from the DSS regarding the reasons for the labour leader’s arrest, noting, “Comrade Ajaero was on his way to London to attend the ongoing TUC Conference when he was arrested at the airport this morning by the SSS.
No reason has been provided for the arrest by the SSS.”
As of press time, neither the DSS nor the Federal Government has issued an official statement explaining the circumstances surrounding Ajaero’s detention.
This development has sparked concerns among labour unions and civil rights groups, who are calling for Ajaero’s immediate release.
The arrest comes at a time when tensions between the government and the labour unions have been escalating over issues related to workers’ welfare, fuel subsidy removal, and economic reforms, which have led to widespread strikes and protests across the country.
Labour leaders have vowed to resist any form of intimidation or suppression of their activities, with some sources within the NLC hinting that they may consider industrial actions if Ajaero is not released promptly.
The arrest of such a prominent figure in Nigeria’s labour movement could deepen the standoff between the government and organised labour.
Comrade Ajaero has been an outspoken advocate for workers’ rights in Nigeria, and his leadership in the NLC has seen him at the forefront of negotiations with the government on critical national issues affecting the economy and the livelihood of millions of Nigerian workers.
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