The Department of State Services has returned the passport of the embattled national President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero.
The release of the passport was facilitated through Abubakar Marshall of the Falana chambers on Tuesday.
Recall that the DSS seized Ajaero’s passport following his release on Monday night.
Counsel to the NLC, Femi Falana said “Ajaero’s passport was released today through my colleague, Abubakar Marshall. It has been handed over to him.”
On Monday while on his way for Union business in the United Kingdom, Ajaero was arrested by security operatives and quizzed for over 15 hours.
The NLC had in solidarity with their embattled leader given the government a midnight ultimatum.
In a statement issued on Monday evening, the NLC’s National Administrative Council, led by Deputy President, Adeyanju Adewale, described Ajaero’s detention as “brazen and illegal” and a clear violation of workers’ rights and democratic values.
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It noted that Ajaero was performing his duties in representing Nigerian workers and had committed no offence deserving of such action.
The NLC described his detention as a violation of workers’ rights and democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.
The NLC has placed all affiliates, State Councils, civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on high alert.
They assert that the detention is an attack on not only the NLC leadership but also on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely.
However, the DSS succumbed to pressure and Ajaero was released before the ultimatum elapsed.
Prior to his arrest, Ajaero had complied with a police invitation on August 28 to answer allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, and cybercrime. He was released the following day.
Subsequently, Ajaero and NLC Secretary General Emmanuel Ugboaja were summoned to appear before the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Abuja on September 5 over charges of criminal intimidation, breach of public peace, and property damage.
Ajaero, accompanied by prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), honoured the summons and later addressed NLC members regarding the ongoing issues.
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