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President Bola Tinubu has approved the commencement of 2024 National Honours Award to Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have contributed to the development of the country.
Zaphaniah Jisalo, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, made this known at a meeting with management staff of the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja.
Mr Jisalo said that the Federal Government would also honour Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavours.
The minister explained that the forms and processes leading to the award of national honours were free of charge, adding that people should desist from paying for national honuours.
“By this information, the public is to watch out for calls for nominations and present individuals who have distinguished themselves by uplifting the nation and its people.
“This is in accordance with the National Honours Award Act 2004. The Act took retrospective effect from 1963, “he said.
NAN
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Joe Ajaero, and the invasion of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office by men of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Atiku said President Bola Tinubu’s level of oppressive control now imposed on Nigerians, civil society organizations and the media has surpassed the time of military dictators.
In a statement on Tuesday, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused President Tinubu of intimidating opposition voices.
He said, “The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration is profoundly disturbing. The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.
“The recent arrest of Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, en route to an official event, epitomizes this regime’s relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organized labour.
“Just days prior, security forces detained a journalist, only to later claim it was a grievous error. What if the outcome had been fatal?
“Now, Tinubu’s regime extends its repressive grasp to encroach upon SERAP Nigeria, an action that stands as a grave affront to our democratic values. This siege is anathema to the principles of freedom and justice.”
Atiku admonished the President to channel his security agencies towards terrorists and bandits perpetrating violence across the country and stop inflicting suffering on Nigerians.
“It is imperative that Tinubu and his security apparatus redirect their fervour and intimidation towards the actual perpetrators of violence — terrorists and bandits — who are inflicting immeasurable suffering upon the Nigerian people,” Atiku added.
The Federal High Court (FHC) in Lagos has embraced the digital world by inaugurating an online platform that enables the public to obtain affidavits directly from the court.
This initiative, spearheaded by FHC Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho, aligns the court with contemporary digital best practices on a global scale.
During a Friday visit to the Lagos division of the court, the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar, Godwin Long, facilitated a tour of the newly established ICT department, which Agwu Charles oversees.
Agwu provided an explanation of how the general public can utilize this new innovation.
“It is now a norm that the Affidavit for loss of items, age declaration, change of name, etc can now be done via portal.fhc.gov.ng and following the instructions.
“What you just need to do is to login to the site: portal.fhc.gov.ng,” Agwu explained.
DCR Longe further explained that, at the moment, the portal can only process Affidavits that are non-cases related.
“Affidavits filed to support a case are still done manually because of the peculiar disposition in such Affidavits.
He reiterated the need for people to be aware that henceforth, “they don’t necessarily have to be physically present to procure the type of Affidavits mentioned above,” he noted.
Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for employing security forces to harass and intimidate Nigerian citizens.
Naija News reports that Ezekwesili’s remarks came after the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office in Abuja on Monday by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a post on her X account on Tuesday, Ezekwesili asserted that Nigerians would not tolerate any form of authoritarian rule again, and she outlined three actions President Tinubu should take to ease the growing tension in the country.
She questioned the motivations behind the administration’s approach, asking why Tinubu’s government would choose to create such tension for an already struggling population.
Ezekwesili said: “So as if this severest economic hardship unleashed on citizens by the @nigeriagov of @NGRPresident @officialABAT is not traumatizing enough, the country’s security apparatuses are now daily deployed to harass and intimidate Nigerians.
“I wanted to be certain of the news yesterday that the latest victims of draconian assault on rights are the NLC @NLCHeadquarters and its President @JoeAjaero94024 as @SERAPNigeria .
“So I ask, “What really is motivating this administration of @officialABAT to create this horrible tension in the country for an already badly distressed people?”
“Whatever is driving this repressive onslaught, here are 3 things the @NGRPresident has to do to stop heating up the country:
“The @OfficialDSSNG @PoliceNG must immediately comply with the constitution and laws of the land- release Ajaero, vacate @SERAPNigeria, return their documents, repair damaged property and compensate them for all losses inflicted.
“The @PoliceNG @OfficialDSSNG must release all the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters that are unconstitutionally detained or being prosecuted by the security establishment for no good reason than the intoxication and intolerance of @officialABAT and his crew that seized power through an election that failed all tests of credibility.
“The @NGRPresident and the @nassnigeria should immediately commence plans for a Citizens-led National Conversation and Constitutional process for Nigeria.
“If there is any wisdom left at all, this @NigeriaGov would do well to stop digging further into a hole. Nigerians acting collectively will never again accept any draconian rule.”
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has released Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), after detaining him for approximately 15 hours, Naija News reports.
![[PRESS RELEASE] Tinubu increasing VAT to 10% will be inferno that will consume Nigerians](/media/k2/items/cache/39782184df96dea65e5e506c403e355d_M.jpg)
The increase in VAT is set to become the blazing inferno that will consume the very essence of our people.
President Bola Tinubu, alongside his coterie of advisers, has resolved to raise the VAT rate from 7.5% to 10%, even as the NNPCL has announced a soaring PMS price increase at the pump. This move unveils a new era of regressive and punitive policies, and its impact is destined to deepen the domestic cost-of-living crisis and exacerbate Nigeria’s already fragile economic growth.
President Tinubu and his entourage seem to be resorting to their familiar tactic: heaping burdens upon the impoverished while steadfastly ignoring their extravagant excesses! Tinubu’s actions reflect a profound insensitivity to the plight of the less fortunate as he indulges in the opulent renovation of villas and the acquisition of new jets and vehicles for himself and his family.
One need not be an economist to grasp the ominous implications of President Tinubu’s ill-conceived policies for Nigeria’s future. The relentless rise in taxes and interest rates has proven excessively onerous, debilitating businesses of all sizes and leading to job losses while intensifying the suffering of the poor. The manufacturing sector, in particular, has endured relentless strife since Tinubu’s ascendancy, with its contribution to the GDP diminishing by over 20% since December 2023, as reported by the NBS.
In early August, Tinubu turned his attention to agriculture. As is customary with this administration, a new policy was clandestinely formulated and announced, permitting duty-free importation of agricultural commodities such as wheat, maize, and paddy, despite vehement opposition from farmer groups nationwide. This policy poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s food security ambitions, as local farmers, facing unfair competition from low-cost producers in Asia, Europe, and America, are compelled to reduce or entirely abandon their production efforts. It jeopardizes job creation, wealth generation, and the sector’s long-term prosperity, casting a shadow over Nigeria’s sustainability and development.
President Tinubu and his advisers would be wise to redirect their efforts towards crafting sustainable solutions to the systemic shocks afflicting the economy rather than compounding the crisis with measures destined to ignite further turmoil.
Signed:
Atiku Abubakar
Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (2023)
Abuja
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has slammed the federal government for pressing treason charges against peace #EndBadGovernance protesters.
Peter Obi said the federal government mismanaged the protest even after the citizens gave one month’s notice before the protest.
Speaking with News Central on Monday, on his opinion concerning the treason charge, the former governor of Anambra State said even when he was in office he never used police to arrest protesters.
He argued that it was wrong for the federal government to fail to sit and discuss with the peaceful hunger protesters but move ahead to arrest them with the police.
Obi said: “I’ve said everybody, they have right to protest. I said it before. I would discuss with every protester. They even warned government months before they did that. I would sit down and discuss with them. People protested when I was governor. They even called strike. They shut down schools for months, our hospitals. I was talking with them.
“I have never as a politician, as a governor ask any police to go and arrest anybody. It shouldn’t be. In a democracy, people have right to say no. I’ve said it every day. If I’m managing this facility and everybody loves me, I will resign. This is me.
“Wherever I am, I believe that I have enemies. My job is to convince them. If everybody loves me, that is a problem. There are people who hate me because I’m just Peter. They don’t even need to give me any reason. It is my job to convince them on why it should be. I convinced the teachers why we should return schools to missionaries and they see the result.
“You just have to. It’s a constant thing. Whenever you’re a leader, you’re a communicator. You listen, you talk to the people. The agitators, the protesters, how are they talking to them?”
Details have emerged as to why Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, was arrested on Monday by the operatives of the State Security Service, SSS.
Mr Ajaero was whisked away by the operatives of the secret police at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.
The NLC’s head of information, Benson Upah, who confirmed the arrest to Channels Television, said Mr Ajaero was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London.
Mr Upah, however, said the union does not know why Mr Ajaero was arrested and where he had been taken to.
But security sources told TheCable that the NLC president was arrested following his failure to honour police invitation over a petition by Air Peace Airlines.
It was also gathered that the airliner had approached the secret police over alleged extortion by the labour union leader.
“The SSS invited Mr Ajaero for questioning but he failed to honour the invitation, that was why they arrested him,” a source disclosed.
Recall that the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, in Abuja had invited Mr Ajaero over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
He was released after a “short interview”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it is not responsible for the large billboard in Abuja promoting President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
The large billboard was spotted on Monday along the busy Area One axis of the Federal Capital Territory.
The billboard, which has the picture of the President and his wife, Oluremi read, “Grassroots support for Tinubu 2027, the 1019 initiative “
The display sign, which boldly hints at Tinubu’s potential re-election bid, sparked discussions, among passersby commuters among others plying the road.
However, the National Publicity Director of the ruling APC, Bala Ibrahim, said the party is not behind the billboard.
Speaking to Punch, Ibrahim said the party was unaware of the campaign billboard.
He, however, did not rule out the possibility of such a billboard being sponsored by groups or loyalists of the President.
He said, “At the party and personal level, I am not aware. If you have seen it, you may wish to check. It could have been done by a group or individuals.
“Usually, such banners and billboards carry the identity of the sponsors beneath. Look around to see if it carries the inscription of the party. Otherwise, it is not from us.”
The Department of State Services has clarified why its officers visited the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s Abuja office on Monday.
The secret police, in a statement on its website on Tuesday, explained that contrary to reports that its officers raided SERAP’s office, the agents were detailed for routine investigation.
The DSS insisted that the officers’ actions had been misinterpreted as harassment and intimidation.
The statement read, “The Department of State Services has been inundated with multiple enquiries on its alleged unlawful invasion of SERAP offices in Abuja and Lagos.
“This narrative is inaccurate and misleading in its intent. For the records, a team of two unarmed Service operatives were lawfully detailed on a routine investigation to the SERAP office in Abuja, which has sadly been skewed and misinterpreted as unlawful, harassment, and intimidation of SERAP officials.
“The Service further wishes to state that such official enquiries and liaison are traditional and do not in any way amount to illegality or raid.
“While it assures of in-depth investigation of these malicious contents, it sues for citizens’ participation in national security management.
“The DSS, therefore, urges the public to disregard these false narratives as it restates its commitment to utmost professionalism in the discharge of its core mandate.”
The PUNCH reports that SERAP had urged President Bola Tinubu “to immediately direct Nigeria’s DSS to end the intimidation and harassment and attack against our organisation and the threat of arrest against our directors.”
In a statement by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “We condemn the invasion of our Abuja office today by Nigeria’s Department of State Services. The Tinubu administration must immediately direct the DSS to end the intimidation and harassment of SERAP and our staff members.”
SERAP’s statement added in part, “The invasion of SERAP’s office by the DSS and the harassment and intimidation of our staff members is a brutal assault on the entire human rights community in the country.
“The escalating crackdown on human rights, and harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders that have shown astonishing courage in their human rights work hurt those most in need, undermine access of Nigerian victims of human rights violations and abuses to justice, and contribute to a culture of impunity of perpetrators.
“This government has an obligation to support and protect civil society groups and human rights defenders. We are seriously concerned about the growing restrictions on civic space and the brutal crackdown on the human rights of Nigerians.
“President Tinubu must urgently instruct appropriate authorities to promptly and thoroughly investigate the invasion of our offices and to bring to justice those involved.
“Nigerian authorities must allow SERAP to freely carry out our mandates as recognized under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has accused the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE) of squandering about N10 billion on registering two companies for the Nigeria Postal Service, which went moribund barely a year after they took off.
The panel equally directed the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) and the Investment and Security Tribunal to remit about N3. 457 billion and N6.327 million respectively into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation within 30 days and tender evidence of payment before it.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun), who stated these at the resumed investigative hearing of the panel on Monday, said no reasonable Nigerian would believe that N10.4 billion was spent to register the two companies only for them to fold up within one year.
The two companies, NIPOST Transport and Logistics Limited and NIPOST Property reported taking off in May 2023 and folding up through a Presidential directive in May 2024.
The BPE Head of Finance and Accounts, who represented the Director General of the Agency, Imam Rilwan, told the committee that while about N10 billion was given to the two companies for their takeoff, about N400 million was given to the Bureau to prepare the ground for their takeoff.
He said the registration of the two companies for NIPOST was approved in 2017, paving the way for the BPE to spend about N423 million on registration and other activities for their eventual take-off.
According to the BPE official, when the money was eventually released in 2023, the Bureau had to recover it. The official added that the N423 million given to the Bureau was used to rent office accommodation and other essential services.
He said that while the agency paid rent for the two companies from 2022, the companies took possession of the offices in May 2023 and folded up in May 2024. He noted that all property belonging to the companies had been officially handed over to NIPOST’s management.
But Salam said spending money from government coffers before the release of funds was a clear violation of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
He directed the BPE Director General, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, to personally appear before the committee on Wednesday, September 11, at noon with all relevant documents relating to the transaction.
Also, in his ruling on JAMB’s presentation, Salam said the Bureau’s refusal to reply to letters from the Fiscal Responsibility Commission informing it of its liabilities was an admission of its indebtedness to the government.
The head of Monitoring and Evaluation of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Bello Gulmare, informed the committee that the board was defaulting on its remittance, remitting only 25 per cent of its internally generated revenue instead of 50 per cent.
Gulmare said the commission wrote to JAMB in April, informing them of the examination body’s indebtedness, and sent a reminder in August. Still, the Board did not respond to any of the letters.
However, a Director of Finance and Accounts who represented JAMB said the Board was not receiving any capital and overhead funding from the government and was, therefore, required to remit 25 per cent of its IGR.
He said a government circular exempted them from remitting 50 per cent of their IGR to the government, a claim that the office of the Accountant General of the Federation disputed.
He said the Board has a letter from the Ministry of Finance granting a waiver from paying the 50 percent waiver.
While insisting that the FRC was trying to impose on them revenue they are not supposed to pay; he said they refused to respond to the letters from the commission because they have been doing the back and forth since 2017.
Ruling on the submission, the committee chairman and members frowned at JAMB’s refusal to respond to the letters, insisting that the government ran based on correspondence.
They said the board should pay the government coffers the amount standing against them within 30 days.
In another ruling, the committee asked the Investment and Security Tribunal to immediately recover and pay into government coffers taxes not deducted from five contractors and the accompanying fine, among other liabilities standing against it.
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The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, alongside the Secretary General of the union, Emmanuel Ugboaja, will be questioned by the Nigeria Police Force on September 30, 2024.
According to Punch, the duo will be grilled over petitions written against the NLC.
Human rights lawyer and counsel for the NLC, Femi Falana, SAN, disclosed this while speaking to the aforementioned publication.
Recall that Falana has earlier stated that Ajaero and Ugboaja were not re-invited by the police as regards terrorism financing, as reported by some media outlets.
Falana had clarified that the duo were invited due to petitions written against them by Airpeace.
Airpeace had accused them of “public disruption.”
But the airline, on Monday, noted that it had settled amicably with the leadership of the NLC.
However, sharing further details on the arrest, Falana disclosed on Monday evening that the police would now quiz Ajaero and Ugboaja on September 30.
“Airpeace itself noted that it has withdrawn the petition. So, why does the police still want to quiz them on September 30? Yes, they have agreed to the September 30 extension,” he said.
Ajaero and Ugboaja, through their lawyer, Falana, had demanded an extended timeline for the invite extended to them by the police.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other stakeholders have condemned the arrest of its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, threatening a showdown with the government.
While calling for his immediate and unconditional release, the labour movement has alerted its members for a possible confrontation.
LEADERSHIP reports that Ajaero was arrested by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while he was about to board a flight to the United Kingdom to attend an event by Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.
After an emergency meeting of its National Administrative Council (NAC), the NLC described the arrest as illegal and unjustified.The council expressed grave concern over what it termed an “affront to the rights of workers” and a violation of Ajaero’s democratic freedoms, particularly his right to movement and expression.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by the labour centre’s Deputy President Adeyanju Adewale, the NLC demanded Ajaero’s release before midnight and warned that his detention was a deliberate attempt to stifle the labour movement’s voice.
The council linked the arrest to broader issues affecting workers and demanded the reversal of the current hike in petrol prices to N617 per litre,
The Congress has also put all its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on high alert, hinting at a potential nationwide strike if Ajaero is not freed.
The NLC emphasised that Ajaero’s arrest is an attack not only on the labour leadership but also on Nigerians’ broader rights to organise and protest freely.
In anticipation of further action, the NLC has called for an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) today to decide its next steps.
The Congress vowed to defend the rights of Nigerian workers. It urged the government to respect democratic principles, including implementing the recently signed National Minimum Wage law.
The communiqué reads in part: “The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before midnight today.
“The Council reiterates that Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive or a criminal, and his detention is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and stifling the labour movement’s voice in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617 per litre.”
“The Congress places all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert.
“The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack not just on the NLC leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organise, protest, and express themselves freely.”
Similarly, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has also expressed concern over the arrest of the NLC president and called for his immediate and unconditional release.
In a statement issued shortly after Ajaero’s arrest, TUC President Festus Osifo described the arrest as a violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of association and expression, which are essential to any democratic society.
Comrade Osifo condemned the arrest as an unjust act that threatens not only the leadership of the Nigerian Labour movement but also undermines the rights of millions of working-class Nigerians who depend on unions to defend their interests.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Femi Falana said that the arrest of his client, Joe Ajaero, is not connected with the earlier invitation by the Nigerian Police Force.
Falana said the secret police had failed to provide a reason for Ajaero’s arrest.
“The police rescheduled the invitation to Comrade Joe Ajaero last week. I have contacted the police authorities. The arrest is not related to the police invitation,” he said.
“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.”
SERAP Asks Tinubu To End DSS Intimidation, Harassment Of Its Directors
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to end the Department of State Services’ (DSS) intimidation, harassment, and attacks.
SERAP also said there is a threat of arrest for its directors and employees.
SERAP’s deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare made this call in a press statement issued on Monday after some officers from the DSS allegedly invaded its Abuja office, requesting to see their directors without any prior notification.
He claimed that the raid on the organisation’s office occurred after they urged President Tinubu and his government to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reverse the unauthorised increase in the pump price of petrol and to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged corruption and mismanagement within the NNPCL.
Oluwadare said the invasion of SERAP’s office by the DSS and the -*/ harassment and intimidation of its staff members is a brutal assault on the entire human rights community in the country.
He stressed that the escalating crackdown on human rights, and harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders that have shown astonishing courage in their human rights work hurt those in need, undermine access for Nigerian victims of human rights violations and abuses to justice, and contribute to a culture of impunity for perpetrators.
The SERAP deputy director, while maintaining that the government must support and protect civil society groups and human rights defenders, expressed grave concern about the growing restrictions on civic space and the brutal crackdown on the human rights of Nigerians.
Oluwadare said, “President Tinubu must urgently instruct appropriate authorities to promptly and thoroughly investigate the invasion of our offices and bring to justice those involved.
“Nigerian authorities must allow SERAP to freely carry out our mandates as recognised under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party.
“Nigerian authorities must end the harassment and intimidation attacks against SERAP and ensure the safety and security of our staff.”
Air Peace Petition Against Ajaero Long Withdrawn
Meanwhile, the management of Air Peace Airlines has distanced itself from the petition allegedly used by the DSS to arrest NLC President Joe Ajaero on Monday.
Air Peace Airlines, in a press statement made available to LEADERSHIP by its spokesman Omotade Makinwa, acknowledged that Air Peace submitted a pe tition against the union leader to the Nigeria Police in September 2023 but stated that the two parties had resolved the issue, and the petition had been withdrawn.
He expressed surprise at the sudden arrest of the NLC president after the police failed to take prompt action against him despite repeated follow-ups on the petition in 2023.
“Air Peace Airlines expresses deep concern over recent media reports regarding the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in connection with a petition filed by the airline in September 2023. This development has led to negative publicity and does not reflect the current relationship between Air Peace and the NLC.
“It is important to clarify the events leading up to the petition. On 3rd May 2023, the NLC disrupted Air Peace operations as part of a broader conflict with the Imo State government. Although Air Peace had no involvement in the dispute between the NLC and the Imo State government, our airline was unfortunately used to exert pressure on the government. This unlawful disruption of our services caused significant financial losses and impacted the travel plans of many Nigerians across multiple states.
“In response to this disruption, Air Peace’s legal team submitted a formal petition against the NLC to the Nigerian Police. Despite our repeated efforts to follow up on the petition, the Police failed to take prompt action.”
Omotade, in the statement, said the airline and the NLC had reached an amicable resolution.
However, over a year later, the Nigerian Police have chosen to act on the original petition, which has now led to the alleged arrest of the NLC president. Before this arrest, the airline and the NLC had already reached an amicable resolution. Air Peace had withdrawn its petition, allowing a positive working relationship between the two organisations to resume.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said those found guilty of corruption should not be granted state pardon.
Fagbemi, who also advised law enforcement agencies against shoddy investigations, tasked them to have their facts before summoning anyone for questioning.
In a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Communication and Publicity, Office of the AGF, Kamarudeen Ogundele, on Monday, in Abuja, the AGF stressed that the cooperation of everyone was needed to fight corruption.
According to the statement, the AGF spoke at a roundtable organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for state attorneys general in Abuja on Monday.
The statement quoted the minister as saying, “I will suggest in our next constitution review exercise that we expunge those found guilty of corruption from benefiting from powers of ‘prerogative of mercy’ to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The cooperation of all stakeholders, especially the AGs, is crucial in the fight against corruption.”
The PUNCH reports that under the immediate-past administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, ex-governors of Plateau and Taraba states, Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, respectively, who were convicted and jailed for corruption, were pardoned by the Federal Government.
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan also granted state pardon to his political godfather and ex-Bayelsa State governor, Dipreye Alamieyeseigha, who was convicted of corruption.
Faghemi, according to the Monday statement, advised the state attorneys general to eschew nepotism, political witch-hunt, rivalry, and bigotry in the fight against corruption just because they want to please their governors.
While adding that there should be no basis for rationalising corruption or crimes, Fagbemi noted that legal opinions on cases must be based on the facts as practised in the advanced countries.
“We should not give in to public sentiments. In Nigeria, we are polarised along political lines,” he said.
The AGF advised participants and anti-graft agencies to conduct thorough investigations of cases before arresting suspects to avoid media trials.
He said: “Let us be thorough and take our time before inviting someone for questioning. Don’t do a shoddy job and be quick to say we have caught a big fish…You will catch a big fish. If it is two or three big fishes you are able to get in a year and you are thorough, it is alright.”
The AGF also counselled against filing bogus charges against defendants just to generate frenzy in the public against the suspect.
“Nobody wants 50 counts…make it five or six and be sure. Make sure you get him (suspect) in,” he advised.
as NLC plans showdown
The Department of State Services has granted administrative bail to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero.
He was released a few minutes before the 12midnight ultimatum issued by the organised labour.
Pro-democracy activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, announced his release in a tweet on Monday night.
“BREAKING: The fascist regime of @officialABAT has released the @NLCHeadquarters President Joe Ajaero from @OfficialDSSNG custody on bail,” he wrote on X.com.
The Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and Social Democratic Party on Monday criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration following the arrest of Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s Abuja office by the Department of State Services.
Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.
The NLC president was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today.
Also, the DSS raided the Abuja office of SERAP in Abuja.
Reports indicate that the officers were seeking to speak with the directors of the rights group.
In response to its president’s arrest, the NLC held a closed-door meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Monday, demanding Ajaero’s immediate release and instructing all chapters to prepare for a potential nationwide strike.
The NLC’s National Administrative Council in a statement issued after its meeting by Adeyanju Adewale, NLC’s deputy president, described the detention as “brazen and illegal” and an “affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles.”
The council demanded Ajaero’s release by 12 midnight on Monday and also called for the reversal of the recent petrol price hike to N617/Litre.
The NLC disclosed that it had placed its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on red alert, warning that it would not stand by while workers’ rights were trampled upon.
The congress reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights and opposing oppression, urging the government to reverse its “dangerous trend” and implement the new National Minimum Wage.
The communiqué read, “The National Administrative Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress convened an emergency meeting today to address the alarming and unlawful arrest and detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, by agents of the Nigerian Government.
“Comrade Ajaero was arrested and detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en-route to the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to attend and address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress of Britain, representing Nigerian workers in critical discussions on workers’ rights and social justice.
“After extensive deliberation, the NAC resolved as follows: The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian state without any legal warrant or justification. The NLC notes with grave concern that Comrade Ajaero was lawfully discharging his duties to represent Nigerian workers and had not committed any offense warranting such action.
“His detention is an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.
“The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today. The Council reiterates that Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive or a criminal, and his detention is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and stifling the labour movement’s voice in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617/litre.
“The congress places all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert. The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack not just on the NLC leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely. The NLC will not stand by while these rights are trampled upon. This provocation is another attempt by the State to scuttle the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage.”
Speaking earlier, Benson Upah, Head of Public Relations for the NLC, stated that Ajaero was taken by state agents without a legal warrant or formal documentation, adding that his current location and health status remained unknown.
Reacting to the development, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, called for caution, stating that Nigeria has now entered a full-blown dictatorship under President Tinubu.
Ologunagba urged the Federal Government to tackle the underlying issues like hunger, rather than targeting individuals who didn’t support their policies.
He stated “There is a need for caution. There was a protest in this country, and the government did nothing. You arrest some people, label them terrorists, and charge them to court. You claim some individuals are sponsors of the protest.
“We know who sponsored the protest: it is hunger. The President and his administration should address hunger, and there will be no problem. Let your draconian policies that bring people to their knees be re-evaluated. With school resuming, we understand the struggles of those with pupils in school.
“You wake up one morning unable to plan because the government is so insensitive and irresponsible, implementing policies that destroy people’s plans and their pursuit of happiness without consulting the National Assembly.
“Why does the government exist? For the welfare and security of the people. Currently, there is no welfare or security. This is breaking news. We need to see and understand what is happening. The government should address the country’s welfare challenges to prevent protests.”
The PDP Publicity Secretary expressed discontent with President Tinubu for focusing primarily on his comfort.
Ologunagba added, “Nobody really cares who the president is if the government provides the opportunity to pursue our goals and aspirations. As a party, we will investigate this breaking news and respond accordingly. If the government is about welfare and the people are suffering, it is reasonable to review these policies.
“You must show leadership by saying, ‘Okay, you are telling me to tighten my belt while you are buying a new belt.’ This is a country that cannot pay N70,000 minimum wage but can purchase a N150 plane. The President seems to be testing it, flying everywhere. This is a country where N21bn was spent to renovate the Vice President’s house, yet according to them, there is no money.”
The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, remarked that Tinubu’s administration was sliding into ‘’a hotbed of corruption and tyranny.’’
He stated, “Tinubu’s administration is not sliding into authoritarianism, we are already in a full-blown dictatorship.
“The APC and indeed the Tinubu-led government have finally degenerated into a cesspool of corrupt and tyrannical monsters. The contraption is no longer pretentious about its anti-democratic posture, a development we are not surprised about because of the background and disposition of the elements.”
The National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, described Ajaero’s arrest as shocking.
Johnson, however, disclosed that the Tinubu administration must urgently explain why the Labour leader was whisked away to douse the tension.
He said, “We need to wait to find out why he was arrested. That way, we can have an informed opinion. Otherwise, people will start believing that it is some form of authoritarianism we are seeing.
“But as a legal practitioner, I will wait to officially hear the reasons they think it is necessary to pick Ajaero in the manner they did.”
SDP national chairman Shehu Gabam, who labelled the operation as “Gestapo-like”, stated that the nation was descending into gangsterism.
In an interview with The PUNCH, Gabam warned that this approach will not benefit the country.
He stated “What happened symbolizes the nation jumping into gangsterism and Gestapo-like operations against those who disagree with the government. I want to caution the government to be extremely careful.
“The composition of the nation will not support Gestapo-like operations simply because there are differing opinions on how the government is run. The right of citizens to express their dissatisfaction with government policies and programs is constitutionally protected. The government should learn from other systems that have used similar tactics and ended up collapsing.
“Given the current level of consciousness in Nigeria, as well as the high levels of poverty, insecurity, hunger, and unemployment, the leadership must be extremely careful not to provoke the system further. You cannot target institutions simply because they disagree with you. If you have any evidence, you should find a decent way to arrest or interrogate people. Subjecting them to appear as if they are hiding criminals is unacceptable.
“It reflects poorly on the quality of leadership and responsibility. My advice to this government is to apply extreme caution in how they handle those who disagree with them. This approach will not benefit the country.
“It will not create an environment that protects our cherished institutions and democracy, which we have chosen by choice, not imposition. The government must be extremely cautious and sensitive in its operations.”
But the National Publicity Director of the ruling APC, Bala Ibrahim, called for restraint.
The spokesman insisted that the DSS could not have gone after the NLC president without a reason.
According to him, it is too early for people to start venting their anger without finding out whether his arrest has something to do with the ‘treason’ charge or another issue entirely.
He stated, “Governance is all about ensuring law and order in the country. When the President took the oath of office and allegiance of office, he swore to respect the constitution of the country. In respecting the constitution of the country, you must not tamper with the law. Whatever is the provision of the law should be followed to the latter.
“In matters of investigation, especially one that has to do with insecurity, we must set aside sentiment and look at the position of the law. If a matter has to do with treason, it means the constitution of the country is under challenge. On this issue of the NLC president, he has appeared before security agents more than once and he came with his lawyer.
“If the need arises for him to be invited again, he must continue to turn up until he proves himself innocent. For now, we have not received the substance or details on why he was arrested by the DSS. Until we do, we must not inject sentiments into the issue because the Constitution is supreme.
“Anybody who defies the constitution is threatening peace and unity of the people and putting the country in jeopardy. Let us not look at it from the angle of the president being dictatorial. No, it is the question of protecting the constitution and the law.”
The National Union of Electricity Employees strongly condemned the arrest of the NLC president and the raid on SERAP’s office.
NUEE in a statement issued by its acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, on Monday, expressed concern over the detention of Ajaero.
According to NUEE, the brazen act of intimidation and harassment is a violation of his fundamental rights and freedom as a Nigerian citizen.
The statement read, “We are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Com. Joe Ajaero and we are saying to the government to desist from its unscrupulous harassment of labour leaders and Nigerian workers who speak out on the crushing hardship they are battling with caused by the irresponsible acts of the government that has turned deaf ears to the groaning of the people that they are governing.”
On its part, the Trade Union Congress demanded the unconditional release of Ajaero in a statement signed by its president, Festus Osifo.
Osifo said, “This unjust action represents a clear violation of the rights to freedom of association and expression, fundamental pillars in any democratic society.”
He noted that the Congress “firmly condemns the arrest and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
“This arrest sets a dangerous precedent that threatens not only the leadership of the Nigerian labour movement but also the voices of millions of working-class Nigerians who rely on unions to represent and protect their interests.
“It is imperative that the government respects the rule of law, democratic norms, and the legitimate rights of workers and their representatives. The labour movement has always stood for peaceful negotiations.
“We, therefore, urge the Nigerian government to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation over harassment. We stand in solidarity with the NLC and reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers.”
The United Action Front of Civil Society described the arrest as a “needless show of force” and an attempt to cause national anarchy.
The UAFCS argued that Ajaero, as a high-profile citizen and leader, should have been treated with decorum and courtesy, rather than being subjected to “dehumanizing tactics”.
In a statement signed by the Head of the Secretariat, Hamisu Santuraki, it called for Ajaero’s immediate release, warning that his detention could lead to mass resistance and civil disobedience.
It also announced plans to commence national consultations on halting the growing “police state” in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Monday, Amnesty International Nigeria mentioned that Ajaero’s unlawful arrest by the DSS signalled a troubling new standard for impunity.
The Director of AI Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the unlawful arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services today. The labour union leader must be immediately and unconditionally released.
“The arbitrary arrest of Joe Ajaero shows an escalating crackdown on human rights and restrictions on civic space by the government of President Bola Tinubu.’’
“President Bola Tinubu’s government persistently attacks and undermines the operations of the NLC through fabricated allegations, raids on NLC headquarters, and other forms of harassment and intimidation. This growing culture of impunity and disdain for workers’ rights to organize and seek better welfare must stop,” Sanusi added.
According to Sanusi, President Tinubu is setting a new record of utter disregard for the rule of law.
“Amnesty International has observed, in the last year, the increasing crackdown by Nigerian authorities on the labour union and civic space. The authorities continue to weaponise the police and DSS to repress the human rights of Nigerians.
“Nigeria is a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, including trade union membership and activities,” he noted.
“Under international human rights law, workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities. The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse,” the organisation further argued.
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria also condemned the arrest of the NLC president.
In a statement on Monday by the Head of Media at MWUN, John Ikemefuna, the union said it would comply with decisions taken by the NLC to ensure Ajaero’s immediate release.
“The MWUN under the leadership of Adewale Adeyanju has kicked against the abduction of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero by security apparatus at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his invitation to attend workers congress by the Trade Union Congress of Britain,” the statement read in part.
MWUN stated that it is in the public domain that Ajaero is not a fugitive anywhere in the world, therefore, his arrest without warrant and detention is condemnable in its entirety.
It stated “It’s also on record that Ajaero is a Nigerian citizen and not in any way a wanted person by the Nigerian state. Therefore, his abduction was just a deliberate act to humiliate, and dehumanise him; and a wholesome act of intimidation of the labour president, which by all measure is unjustifiable by the laws of the land.”
“Given the foregoing, the union would have no other option if he’s not released but to comply with directives that may come from the NLC on this matter,” the union warned.
In a related development, SERAP has urged the President “to immediately direct Nigeria’s DSS to end the intimidation and harassment and attack against our organization and the threat of arrest against our directors.”
In a statement by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “We condemn the invasion of our Abuja office today by Nigeria’s Department of State Services. The Tinubu administration must immediately direct the DSS to end the intimidation and harassment of SERAP and our staff members.”
SERAP’s statement read in part: “The invasion of SERAP’s office by the DSS and the harassment and intimidation of our staff members is a brutal assault on the entire human rights community in the country.
“The escalating crackdown on human rights, and harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders that have shown astonishing courage in their human rights work hurt those most in need, undermine access of Nigerian victims of human rights violations and abuses to justice, and contribute to a culture of impunity of perpetrators.
“This government has an obligation to support and protect civil society groups and human rights defenders. We are seriously concerned about the growing restrictions on civic space and the brutal crackdown on the human rights of Nigerians.
“President Tinubu must urgently instruct appropriate authorities to promptly and thoroughly investigate the invasion of our offices and to bring to justice those involved.
“Nigerian authorities must allow SERAP to freely carry out our mandates as recognized under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”
SERAP charged Nigerian authorities to end the harassment and intimidation against its staff.
Human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, said, “We condemn the invasion of SERAP’s office. The Tinubu government must urgently fish out the officers who carried out the invasion of SERAP’s office in the name of the government. Anyone found to be responsible for the invasion must be prosecuted. The government must allow human rights defenders to freely carry out their work, consistent with the Nigerian Constitution.”
AI also lambasted Tinubu for the ‘unlawful’ invasion of SERAP’s office by DSS operatives.
AI, in a post on X on Monday, said the president was going too far in his administration’s efforts to gag dissenting voices.
The post read, “Amnesty International received a disturbing report of the unlawful invasion of the Abuja office of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by operatives of DSS. President Bola Tinubu is going too far in his government’s repressive efforts to gag dissenting voices.”
Our correspondent’s attempts to reach the DSS were unsuccessful, as the service had closed its Directorate of Communication and reassigned its director, Peter Afunaya.
When The PUNCH contacted the agency’s operational phone number, an officer instructed our correspondent to send an email. As of this report, the email has not been responded to.
However, a source, who requested anonymity due to not being authorized to speak on the matter, informed our correspondent that Ajaero was arrested for not responding to the service’s invitation.
The source said, “An invitation was sent to him last week following a petition against him. The petition borders on national security and his presence was required to clear the air on the allegations against him. A senior officer handling the matter called him on his telephone line and he promised to show up but failed to.
“No responsible security organisation will fold its hands in the face of such contempt. The law setting up the DSS empowers us to defend Nigeria against domestic threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of Nigeria, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal and state law-enforcement organs.”
Reacting, Falana challenged the DSS to provide evidence against the labour leader.
Falana said, “Let the DSS provide details of the petition. If they say it is a matter of national security then let them give you a copy of that petition. It is very simple.”