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.

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?”

“Bros, you dey craze. I watch you dis morning, you just dey yarn, You just dey craze. You just dey troll Una dey drink something for that una programme? Una dey mad?”

“What is the matter, uncle?”

“Don’t Owain me? How can you go on television and give the faintest impression that Buhari is a better economic manager than Tinubu?  This is the thing about you, Yoruba people, you don’t know when to be loyal to your own people You do not know when to say this is our own and we need to stand by him, when he needs us.” 

“I am sorry. I don’t get what you are saying” 

“I am saying that Tinubu needs all the support he can get right now from among his own people. It looks bad to have on TV, any Yoruba man or woman condemning their own. You have a responsibility to defend your own person”

“I don’t get your drift. I am educated enough to reject what you are suggesting.”

“And I am telling you that this is Nigeria. Whatever Tinubu does with the Nigerian economy, you have to stand by him. He is one of us. He cannot do any wrong. Whatever anybody says about the economy, it is our son that is there, and we, Yorubas have a reputation for knowing anything about the economy. Ibos are traders. They know commerce, even if they end up dominating other people’s homesteads. Hausa-Fulanis think power is their birthright. They will come into your community and they will try to take over everything. Yorubas think they are the wise ones in the room. They will carry their shoulders high thinking they are the ones that know it all, on whose shoulders everything hangs but at the end of the day, they get deceived. Igbos claim that they are the lords of commerce.  They are in every community in Nigeria, plying trade. What I am trying to say is that this country no balance. The people who think they are wise and smart, are actually stupid. The stupid people are the wise ones.”  

“Is that why you will go on television and say Buhari is wiser than Tinubu? And that Yoruba people are stupid, and they do not know how to manage the economy?” 

“Okay, Bros. I did not mean it that way. I was just saying that Yoruba people are supposed to be Nigeria’s best economic managers. We have been in charge for about one year now. Bros, how market? It is enough time for Buhari to sit back and laugh at the expense of the same Yoruba people who think that when it comes to the economy that they know it all. Let me confess to you: I feel grossly embarrassed. I am ashamed.”

“Stop embarrassing yourself. Buhari and his Fulani people caused this problem. They messed up the country. Tinubu is trying to clear up the mess. The problem with Nigeria is the mess that Buhari caused. It has nothing to do with Tinubu. Buhari was sleep-walking for eight years. You have a President who is active. The Jagaban himself and you are going back to the sleepy crowd. I disagree vehemently with you.” 

“My brother go and sleep. I am telling you how Yoruba people behave. Economy, Na we know am. Economy na we sabi. Go and fix the economy.   Look, if we want to tell ourselves the truth, this economy was not this bad under Buhari. Go and fix it.”  

“Try and be fair. Buhari caused the problem”

“Fix it. That is why we voted for you. You APC people said you will renew our hope. Renew it.”

“Your hope is being renewed. What the government says is that the people of Nigeria must be prepared to make some sacrifices. I don’t even like this narrative about Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa-Fulani. There are over 250 ethnic groups in this country. We must put an end to ethnic politics in this country.”

“We are the people being asked to make sacrifices. How much sacrifice is the government making? Or the people in government? They are riding yachts. They are busy buying new aircraft. They are busy travelling all over the world. I tried to buy fuel. I had to pay more money. Schools are resuming, after the holidays. They have increased school fees. I wanted to buy suya. Ordinary suya oh. They said the price has gone up. Transport fares have increased by about 50%” 

“NLC will take care of that. Labour Congress is on top of it. Labour says the NLC has been betrayed.”

“Which NLC? Which Labour? Are you aware that Joe Ajaero has been arrested?”

“Who arrested him?”

“The Nigerian Government”

“Are you sure?”

“I read it in the papers. The DSS arrested him. I hear he is now in the custody of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency. The NIA.” 

“What do they say his offence is?” 

“I never hear oh”

“Why are these people perpetually looking for trouble?  Are you sure there are no fifth columnists inside this government? I am beginning to worry oh. You have not solved one problem, you go and create another.” 

“I agree with you. Joe Ajaero is a very small irritant. This is not the time to go after him. He is a Labour Leader. He can say what he likes. He can be ignored.” 

“They say he is financing terrorism. He is not above the law. No man is above the law.” 

“Then you ignore him because of the followership that he commands.  If you have to do anything, you do it underground. Nobody will believe you if you want to do anything then you do it under the cover, never in the open.”

“We are talking about terrorism. The law does not work that way.”.

 “We are talking about the leader of the largest Labour union in the country. Do you want to burn down the country?” 

“My attitude is that nobody is above the law”

“Fine. Detain Nigeria’s Labour leader then. What I am saying is that a country cannot fight on all fronts at the same time.”

“Tinubu is not fighting the country. He is saying this country has gone so bad, it has to be fixed.  He is saying organised Labour must not hold this country to ransom. He is saying he won the election in 2023, and he would not allow Obidients and Atiku and his followers to sabotage this country, claiming to be opposition. This is where we are. Try and be patriotic.”   

“Which Nigerian law says to be patriotic you have to be a Tinubu lackey? Tell me.” 

“We are saying don’t follow the opposition. Be a man”

“I am not a man. I cannot pay school fees. I cannot fund basic things. I am in pains. Don’t tell me to be a man. How can I be a man in this country?”

“Be a woman then. Your wife can feed you, if she can”.”

“What kind of talk is that?”

“Be the woman. That is what Nigeria today calls for. If you have a woman who can, then humble yourself.”

“Is that what Tinubu is supposed to reduce us to?”

“Life is like that sometimes.”

“No wonder Ajuri Ngelale left them. He told them to keep their job. He walked away from it all.”

“I am of the view that you do not know what you are talking about. Ajuri Ngelale is the luckiest man who ever occupied the position of Presidential Spokesman. He was not just spokesman. He was Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change. He was Chairman of the Federal Government Project Evergreen Initiative. No other person in that position was ever so garlanded.”

“And he will abandon all of that?”

“It is not everybody that would rather die in a government job. He has asked us to respect his family’s privacy. He talked about family medical issues. Can we all just respect his privacy and personal space?” 

“Could this be a case of the demons in Aso Villa chasing Ajuri Ngelale?”

“I have no comment”

“Demons in the Villa.”

“What are you talking about?” 

“There is a spiritual side to that Villa. Anybody that goes in there is no longer recognizable.”

“I have nothing to say.”

“So who do you think will take over Ajuri’s job? Who is the demon that will step into his shoes?”

“They have more than enough people in that place falling over themselves to take over the job. You don’t have to worry about that.”  

“Do you think that it is normal that the same Tinubu who used to lead pro-democracy protests will stand by and allow protesters to be charged for treason under his watch?”

“Tinubu is not the judiciary. He wants the judiciary to do its work. Find something else to say.”

“Oh God Oh God. Okay, is Tinubu happy that we the people of Nigeria cannot find fuel to buy?”

“I understand fuel is now available in the filling stations across the country. You drive in, you buy. Willing buyer, willing seller”

“At what price?”

“I refer you to Section 205 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021)

“Rubbish. I am not interested in any useless Sections of the law. Is Nigeria better today than it was a year ago? We can’t buy diesel. We can’t buy fuel. Lagos, the country’s commercial center is a ghost town because the people cannot get or buy fuel. Section whatever. Is that what will feed my family?”

“E lo fo kan bale”

“Egbon. Did I hear you right?”

“E lo fo kan bale”

“God. God. God.”

“E lo fo kan bale. There is renewed hope”

“No. I don’t see hope. Not to talk of renewed hope. I sewar to God Almighty anytime there is another call for protest in this country, I will carry placard and go out.” 

“Fine. When you get arrested and you are charged for treason, just know that you are on your own. I have always told you. You cannot fight government. After government it is God. Fight government and live with the consequences.” 

“To hell with Government”

“And with God too”

“I did not say that. Don’t put words in my mouth. I will never say to hell with God.”    

“It is God that has chosen Tinubu as President of Nigeria. God is forever right. He is all-knowing. Nigerians must learn never to fight God.”

“I don’t discuss religious issues. There is too much mumbo jumbo in that arena”

“Are you aware that all the churches will be filled to the brim this Sunday? The same people who cannot find fuel to go to work, they will get fuel to attend Church and enough money to give to Pastors”

“Good for them”

“Many of the congregants will even go with jerry cans of fuel for the Pastors” 

“One day, the Pastors and God will meet face to face. I believe in the concept of Judgement Day. Let God judge every man according to his deed.”  

“I think President Tinubu should start by paying tribute to the Paralympics athletes who have just done Nigeria proud in Paris. These are the kind of people we want to see on the National Honours List. Not office holders. Not traditional rulers.”

“I agree. I am impressed. Even if this is Nigeria’s worst outing at the Paralympics since Barcelona 1992. We did better in Athens, London, Tokyo and elsewhere, but at least this one, we came home with seven medals. Congratulations to Nigeria’s Paralympic team. I want to specially recognize Oluwafemiayo and Eniola Bolaji. They made history.”

“I want to add that there is ability in disability. Nigeria’s main team went to the main Olympics. What did they come back with? Zero. Odo. Nothing. Physically challenged people went to represent Nigeria, they returned with medals. I predicted it. In this country, the blind see, the deaf hear, people who have their faculties all intact are the enemies of national progress. Nigeria is a living paradox.”   

“There are still people in this country who can see and hear. I know a few. Things are not as bad as you paint them.”

“Like who, please?”

“Austen Eguavoen. he just led the Super Eagles to beat the Cheetahs of Republic of Benin. He did not allow Gernot Rohr and his team to cheat us. We beat them 3-0.”  

“When Eguavoen and the Super Eagles qualify for both the AFCON, and the World Cup, that is when we can talk. For now, I am just watching. They are in Rwanda. Let them bring us victory from Rwanda too.” 

“What of the U-20 Falconets? They are in the group of 16. They are making us proud in the FIFA U-20 tournament.”

“I want to see them in the finals. Nigerian women are always better than the men.”

“You are a pessimist. I need you to see Nigeria in a positive light.”

“I do. I do. It is just that sometimes this country get on your nerves.”

“I know your problem. I know why you are in a foul mood. It is time for children to return to school. You have to pay school fees. And the fees have gone up. But think of all the positives in this country. Dangote Refinery for example. Soon, there will be fuel in every filling station. Dangote is a Nigerian like you. He has done something for his country. You can do something too. You can be a positive force for progress. Stop whining. This country belongs to all of us.” 

“Dangote?”

“Yes. Dangote.”

“Are you sure Dangote is happy he has done something for Nigeria right now?”

“Don’t worry yourself.  Everything will be resolved.”

“Really?”

“I think so. No be Nigeria?”

“I dey vex. Country hard no be small.”

“Don’t worry. You will be able to eat suya again if that is your problem. And you will get fuel in your car. Don’t take out your anger on other people”

“I dey vex, no be small”    

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.

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.