Presidency defends Joe Ajaero’s arrest, rejects human rights abuse allegations

The Presidency has defended the recent arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero, calling it lawful and rejecting human rights abuse allegations made at the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in the UK.

This clarification was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, who explained that Ajaero’s arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday was part of an ongoing investigation unrelated to his NLC role.

The government dismissed the human rights claims, explaining that Ajaero’s detention stemmed from his failure to respond to a previous summons. Onanuga stressed that no one, including Ajaero, is above the law.

“The Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom opened its conference today in London, with its leader making false claims about human rights abuses and violations in Nigeria.  

“The Nigerian government was wrongly and falsely accused of rights abuse because the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, was stopped from travelling abroad after he snubbed the invitation of a law enforcement agency conducting an ongoing investigation,” the statement read.

It added, “Clearly, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), no person is above the summons of law enforcement agencies and lawful investigation. Like the United Kingdom and other civilised nations, Nigeria is a country of law governed by the Constitution.” 

“We, therefore, reject any notion and allusion to human rights violations in Nigeria. The accusations made by the Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom are, thus, unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of the situation.” 

The statement emphasized the federal government’s commitment to upholding civil liberties and citizens’ rights under President Tinubu, while maintaining a cooperative relationship with the labour movement despite occasional policy disagreements.

It urged Ajaero to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and refrain from inciting negative public sentiment against Nigeria’s security agencies. The statement also noted that labour unions sometimes adopt ideological positions that contradict economic realities, referencing past opposition to the sale of refineries, which hindered economic progress.

The Presidency reassured Nigerians and the international community that the government remains focused on policies aimed at driving economic growth and prosperity despite current challenges.

What you should know

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, was arrested on Monday by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while preparing to board a flight to the United Kingdom for a Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference. Following his arrest, the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) issued a communiqué demanding his unconditional release by midnight, alongside calls for a reversal of the petrol price to N617 per litre and the immediate implementation of the newly signed national minimum wage.

Ajaero was released by the DSS in the late hours of Monday, with the NLC confirming his release in the early hours of Tuesday.

Prior to this incident, Ajaero had complied with a police invitation on August 28 to answer allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, and cybercrime, and was released the following day.

Shortly after, both Ajaero and NLC Secretary General Emmanuel Ugboaja were summoned to appear before the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Abuja on September 5 over charges of criminal intimidation, breach of public peace, and property damage. Accompanied by prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), Ajaero honoured the summons.