Falana says Ajaero’s arrest by DSS unconnected to Police invitation
Counsel to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) , Femi Falana, SAN, on Monday, said the arrest of Ajaero by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) was not connected to the earlier invitation by the police.
Recall that Ajaero had earlier been invited by the police over matters related to a “threat to public peace.”
The invitation was later rescheduled.
However, Ajaero was arrested by DSS operatives on Monday morning while on his way to the United Kingdom.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja, Falana said, “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.
“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.”
A Civil Society Organization, Centre for Social and Economic Rights, has expressed concern over the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, President, comrade Joe Ajaero, charging security agency to be professional in accordance with the dictates of the nation’s constitution over the case.
Ajaero was on Monday morning arrested by men of the Nigeria’s Department of State Services, DSS, at Abuja International Airport on his way to London for official engagement.
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Executive Director, Centre for Social and Economic Rights, Nelson Ekujumi, made the remarks in a statement on Monday.
The statement read in part: “We are concerned by the arrest of the NLC President by the DSS in view of the fact that only recently the Nigeria Police Force invited him for questioning with regards to his links to the alleged crime of criminal conspiracy, cyber crime, terrorism, subversion and treasonable felony.
“Therefore, we are watching to see if this arrest is linked to those alleged crime or something else.
“We are aware that under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he doesn’t have immunity and so we wonder why the fuss over his arrest?
“Is he above the law or is it that the security agencies don’t have the right under the law to arrest him because he’s the NLC President?
“If we can’t provide a positive answer to the questions asked, then we should tread carefully with regards to his arrest.
“What should be our concern now is to ensure and urge that the security agency who have arrested him, ensure that his rights are fully observed while he’s under the radar of the law just as we admonish them to be professional in the discharge of their responsibility in line with their constitutional mandate.”
