Adeyanju Condemns Threats Against NLC President Ajaero

Deji Adeyanju, a well-respected human rights lawyer, has urged Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to exercise restraint and adhere to democratic principles in the case of Nigerian Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero.

While acknowledging the legitimacy of police inquiries in the case of Nigerian Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero, human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has criticized the authorities’ threats of arrest as a direct affront to democratic principles. Adeyanju argues that such actions presume guilt and contradict the fundamental values of fairness and due process.


He disclosed this in a statement he made available to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja.



The statement read “My attention has been drawn to a letter issued by the Nigerian Police Force on the 19th day of August, 2024, purporting to invite the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajero, for an interview over a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime, in which his name was allegedly mentioned. The letter concluded with a threat of arrest if Mr. Joe Ajero does not honour the invitation. 


“While I recognise the fact that the Nigerian Police Force has the power to invite anybody in relation to ongoing investigations, it is, however, imperative to sound a note of caution, as it appears from the invitation letter, that the Nigerian Police Force has already reached a premeditated decision on Joe Ajero’s guilt.


“I, therefore, call on the Inspector General of Police to call his officers to order and refrain from heating the polity, as we will not sit idle and watch Nigeria descend into fascism, the outcome of which no one can predict.”

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