The Imo State Government has denied any involvement in the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero.

This was made known in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba.

Recall that Emmanuel Ugboaja, NLC Secretary and Nuhu Toro TUC secretary, had in a joint statement accused the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, of conspiring with the state’s Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Barde, to arrest Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, the state capital.

Reacting to the allegation, Emelumba denied any involvement of the state government, noting that it was the handiwork of mischief makers.

Emelumba stated that the state government has no hand in the arrest since it believes in the rule of law.

He noted that the purported strike action in the state had been stopped by the National Industrial Court in Owerri, which makes the planned action illegal.

He also noted that it complied with the Court order that the Imo State chapter of NLC announced that it was pulling out of the strike.

He wondered what Ajaero was doing in Owerri in defiance of the order of the court, which warned of severe consequences against disobedience.

He said information at the disposal of the government indicated that there might have been a fiasco between lawful workers of Imo State and lawless invaders from Abuja, which led to police intervention to maintain the peace.