The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reportedly invited the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and the Secretary-General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, for questioning on Monday, September 30.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, who represents NLC, confirmed to Punch that the police invitation was related to the petitions by AirPeace and not terrorism financing allegations as previously reported.

Ajaero was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday morning while attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom for an official engagement. It was later reported that he had been transferred to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

The petition filed by Airpeace accused the NLC leaders of “public disruption” following a protest that disrupted the airline’s operations in May 2023. However, Airpeace announced on Monday that it had amicably settled the matter with the NLC and withdrawn the petition.

On May 3, 2023, the NLC disrupted Air Peace’s operations in a protest targeting the Imo State government. This disruption, which resulted in financial losses and affected travel plans nationwide, led the airline’s legal team to file a petition with the Nigerian Police.

“Our airline was unfortunately used as a tool to exert pressure on the government,” said Omotade Makinwa, spokesperson for Air Peace.

Airpeace added that it was surprised that “over a year later, the Nigerian Police have chosen to act on the original petition” without any prompting from the airline.

Meanwhile, Falana noted 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“Airpeace itself noted that it has withdrawn the petition.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,” Falana said.