The former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Gusau Branch, Bello Galadi, has called on the Inspector General of Police to apprehend and charge Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Galadi alleged that Ajaero is responsible for causing distress to over 200 million Nigerians through the nationwide strike initiated by the labour unions.
In a statement provided to Vanguard on Wednesday, Galadi expressed his disapproval of the assault on the labour leader, Ajaero. He emphasized that rather than pursuing legal avenues to assert his rights and claim damages, Ajaero opted for the course of a strike action.
According to the former NBA Chairman, the strike, characterized as a form of self-help, has needlessly escalated tension and worsened the plight of the masses. Consequently, he asserts that Ajaero should face arrest for his actions.
According to him, “I personally condemn the attack and brutalization of the NLC President in Owerri, Imo State. I urge the IGP to intensify efforts to arrest, investigate and prosecute the culprits.
“In the same vein, I personally do not see any relationship between the assault on the NLC President and strike action. While the assault is personal, strike is official.
“The fundamental rights of the NLC President is enshrined and protected under Section 34(1) of the Nigeria’s Constitution. Instead of the NLC President to enforce his rights in a court of law and seek damages, he resorted to self-help, thereby caused unnecessary tension and aggravated the suffering of the masses.
“It is unwarranted to shut down the whole country, including schools, offices, businesses, courts, and hospitals, because of the personal interest of an individual. An innocent man from Kebbi suffered in an incident that occurred in Imo. It makes no sense to me to punish over 200 million Nigerians for the wrong committed by a few individuals. You cannot fix an injustice with an injustice.
“IGP should, therefore, arrest, investigate and prosecute the NLC President for actions likely to cause breach of the public peace. This becomes necessary so as to deter other leaders from abusing their offices in future.”
Recall that on Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) launched a statewide strike in protest of the detention and abuse that NLC President Ajaero suffered in Imo State.
