The Wikipedia describes “a police state as a state whose government institutions exercise an extreme level of control over civil society and liberties. There is typically little or no distinction between the law and the exercise of political power by the executive, and the deployment of internal security and police forces play a heightened role in governance”.
It further states the “a police state is a characteristic of authoritarian, totalitarian or illiberal regimes (contrary to a liberal democratic regime). Such governments are typically one-party states, but a police state may emerge in a democracy”
Another authority defined a police state as “a totalitarian state controlled by a political police force that secretly supervises the citizens’ activities”.
During the recent national hunger protest, complaints of police brutality leading to alleged fatalities were rampant. It was so much so that Amnesty International issued a state statement indicating that 13 persons were killed in the first day of the nationwide protests, and calling for a probe.
Other notable individuals and organizations had also raised concerns about the same allegations indicting the Nigeria police of extreme force against unarmed protesters. One of such organizations was the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Comrade Joe Ajaero. This also included the Presidential Candidates of the PDP and LP in the 2023 Presidential elections; Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi respectively.
It is noteworthy that the NLC had since July 2024 been facing pressures over the nationwide protest that eventually took place in the month in August. In statement signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero on Wednesday, the Congress advised the federal government and the sub-national governments “to listen to the cries of the hungry Nigerian people, and address the economic crisis.”
Prior to this time, and arising from bourgeoning leadership crisis in the Labour Party (LP), which the NLC is the legally recognized institutional promoter; the Congress had convened an expansive stakeholders meeting in April 2024 to midwife a National Transition Committee (NTC) to manage the affairs of the LP in a post-Abure era, given that the tenure of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) was set to expire on July 9, 2024.
Beginning from that date, and given the intransigence of the Abure team on sitting tight, events suggestive of coordinated blackmail and assaults on the NLC and its leadership crept in from several seen and unseen sources. They were, obviously, all targeted at frustrating the noble efforts of the LP-NTC to birth a formidable LP; as the viable alternative political platform for the majority of yearning Nigerians.
First, the police was innocuously used to frustrate the LP-NTC’s effort to takeover the National Secretariat of the LP, as its rightful operational hub on July 13, 2024. This was later explained away as a sincere effort to ensure peace and avert a breakdown of law and order; even though the police team bias against the LP-NTC was all too clear during the event.
Then on July 7, 2024, security agents conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.
According to the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, the operatives burst into the building at about 8.30 pm and arrested the security guards, forcing them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor.
The police which later took responsibility for the operation, said it was aimed at uncovering incriminating documents that could help build a case against an international “subversive” figure considered a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
This explanation was promptly rejected by the NLC and the Congress went ahead to demand the prompt release of its arrested members and seized documents.
Curiously on August 13, 2024; Abayomi Arabambi, the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct Abure NWC; which tenure expired on July 9, 2024 released a rancorous press statement that amongst other things accused the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and the LP-NTC of PLANNING TO USE LABOUR PARTY FOR INSURRECTION AND DESTABILIZATION OF NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY, LABELING THEM SECURITY THREATS. They provided no evidence to back up the wild allegations.
Following quickly from the unexplained raid of the NLC secretariat, the allegation by Arabambi was seen as a kite being flown by the unseen conspirators clearly intent on blackmailing and intimidating the NLC and its leadership into abandoning the charted course to a new and vibrant LP. But no one could fathom that the police would fall for the naked bait.
This is why the sudden and unexplained police letter dated August 19, 2024 to Joe Ajaero inviting him “for questioning over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime in which he was mentioned” is not only curious; but suspect. Who wants Joe Ajaero silenced is the question now?
It is also on record that Joe Ajaero was in November 2023, during a protest in Owerri, allegedly singled out for “brutish and degrading” by the police accompanied by thugs. In a joint press release then, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said that “police accompanied by thugs inflicted heavy injuries and blows to his [Mr Ajaero’s] head and body, kicking him in the process while dragging him on the ground”. NLC spokesman Benson Upah also alleged that police continued to assault Mr Ajaero after taking him away, causing injuries that shut his right eye.
He was later released and immediately went to receive medical treatment for facial injuries.
For a man whose public profile is so well known and who cannot suddenly disappear from circulation, even if he wanted to; the abruptness with which the police wants him to appear within 24 hours to answer to such high crimes without prior accusations, rankles the brain. This also calls to question if citizens rights to fair hearing guaranteed under section 36 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) still means anything to our security agencies; especially the Police.
It is, therefore, heartwarming that Femi Falana, SAN has offered his revered self and services in defense of citizen Joe Ajaero. He has rightfully requested a shift in date and more importantly particulars-“nature and detail of the criminal allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime leveled against him”.
It is hoped that the police authorities will allow this due process to operate, and abide by it, in accordance with the laws of the land.
But the more important concern is what happens to the millions of ordinary Nigerians who do not have access to and capacity for the representation of a Femi Falana, as Joe Ajaero now has? How many have suffered indignities and other negative consequences for “fly by the night” allegations wrapped around their necks for reasons that may never be explained? How many more shall suffer same?
Above all, this calls for great concern and raises the question: Who Wants Joe Ajaero Silenced or Is This The Return of Police State?
