TERRORISM FINANCING: CDHR DEMANDS JOE AJAERO TRIAL WITH EVIDENCES AND WITNESSES, UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF END BAD GOVERNANCE PROTESTERS
The attention of the Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has been drawn to an online viral invitation letter from Nigerian Police inviting the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, for questioning on allegation of terrorism financing, treasonable felony, criminal conspiracy, subversion, and cybercrime.
The letter dated August 19th, 2024, stated: “This office is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing and treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime in which you were mentioned”. The NLC president is to report to the
office of the Nigerian Police at IRT Complex, Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction in Abuja.
The content of the letter also indicates possible activation of arrest warrant if Comrade Joe Ajaero fails to honour the police invitation.
CDHR gathered that police authority had on July 7th, conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja, a move that triggered media war between the organised labour and the Nigerian police.
In line with the above, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) demands the trial of Ajaero with concrete evidence and witnesses on all alleged offences within the shortest period of time. Comrade Ajaero should not be detained unnecessarily, and his fundamental rights should not be deprived. The organisation also demands an open and transparent due diligence investigation of Comrade Joe Ajaero, and if indicted, he should be promptly arraigned in a competent open court, and his rights must be respected while facing trial. The police authority should free the NLC president in the event all allegations were unable to be established and proved beyond reasonable doubt.
In the same vein, CDHR demands immediate and unconditional release of all persons arrested during the just concluded end bad governance protest. The allegation of protest sponsors did not hold water, Nigerians have constitutional rights to protest whether sponsored or not. All the people arrested during the protest should be released unconditionally, especially those without criminal breach of trust while the protest was on.
Police authority should dessit from castigating innocent Nigerians on allegation of sponsoring end bad governance protest. They should focus on their primary responsibilities of securing the lives and properties of the masses in the face of current security challenges.
E-Signed:
Comrade Debo Adeniran,
National President CDHR Nigeria.
Comrade Idris Afees Olayinka,
National Publicity Secretary CDHR Nigeria.