Ajaero Yet To Get Justice 365 Days After Brutal Attack In Imo, Says NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has revealed that its President, Joe Ajaero, who was abducted on November 1, 2023, in Imo State, is yet to receive justice.

Ajaero had accused the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, and the Commissioner of Police in the state of assault and kidnapping following the NLC’s mobilization of a nationwide protest in the state.

The union had protested against the government, claiming that the rights of Nigerian workers in the state were violated, salaries were not being paid, pension arrears were seized, and the working environment was hostile.

Uzodimma had also accused the congress of blackmailing his government,

But remembering the ordeal one year after in a statement, Ajaero said justice has not been served despite being “abducted, brutalised and left for the dead by the agents of the state in Owerri, capital of Imo State.”

He noted that the conditions precedent as prescribed by law were fully met before the protest notice was sent to the state government.

However, his offence was “leading workers to peacefully protest against the non-payment of salaries and pensions in Imo State after exhausting all other processes of dialogue.”

He said that the Nigeria Police released him to their medical personnel around 4:30 p.m. at the Police Clinic, underscoring the severity of his condition, after which he was later moved to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, for better management of his condition.

“It took more than six months of treatment in and outside the country for Comrade Joe Ajaero to fully regain his sight and functionality of his body.

“However, while he regained his sight and use of his body, state harassment did not abate,” the statement signed by Head of Information and Public Affairs, NLC, Benson Upah reads.

“In or around August this year, the harassment reached an octane level when he was invited by the Police to defend himself on allegations of terrorism financing, subversion, treasonable felony, etc.

“In a scaled-up operation, he was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, detained, and prevented from attending a conference in the UK.

“It is nonetheless curious that none has been brought to justice for his ordeal in Imo State, his home state. We at the Nigeria Labour Congress believe he is deserving of justice.

“The NSA gave his word that those involved in the despicable conduct in Imo State would be brought to book. It was the basis for suspending the national protest that followed the brutalisation of Joe Ajaero. It has been one full calendar year and counting,” he added.

“One year after his first major ordeal, we are delighted to inform the world that Joe Ajaero remains unbroken and unbowed, totally committed to serving Nigerian workers.”

Upah stated that the audacity and impunity displayed by state agents, brutality and cruelty not even seen during the military era against any Labour leader, let alone the President of the Congress, raises serious questions about the fundamentals of democracy.

Though dejected by the situation, the Congress stated that it would not be cowed by intimidation, harassment, or assault from the government.

It added, “Whatever the attitude of the government may be to this, we at the Nigeria Labour Congress unequivocally state that on no condition must this ever happen again.”