Urging against any effort to silence the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) leadership, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International Nigeria has spoken out.
Amid an investigation into terrorism financing in the country, the police have summoned NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero.
Expressing concerns over what they see as attempts to incriminate, muzzle, and blackmail the NLC leadership, CISLAC Executive Director, Mr. Auwal Rafsanjani, released a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
CISLAC clarified that they do not oppose the investigation.
“Recalling the events of Wednesday, August 7, 2024, when the heavily armed security personnel surrounded the NLC complex, known as Labour House, soon after the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting, where members criticized the aggressive tactics used by security forces during the #EndBadGovernance protests,” CISLAC stated.
“The President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, has been called to appear before the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), for questioning regarding allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime,” Rafsanjani added.
Desiring transparency in the investigation to ensure that Nigerians can see the government is not manufacturing accusations, CISLAC emphasized that both the integrity of the NLC and the police are on the line.
Stressing the importance for the police to demonstrate they are not tools used to suppress the lawful struggles of citizens, he underscored the need for accountability.