The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld Julius Abure’s position as the Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), affirming his leadership amidst a legal dispute.
Additionally, the Appellate Court has overturned the decision of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, which previously restrained Abure and two others from holding themselves out as national officers of the party.
Justice Hamma Barka, delivering the judgment, stated that the high court had erred in assuming jurisdiction over the matter.
Furthermore, the Appellate Court has ordered Lamidi Apapa, the respondent, to pay a cost of One million Naira in favor of Abure.
Last year, Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court issued an ex-parte order, directing him and two other national officers to cease representing themselves as party leaders, alleging forgery of national documents. However, the Appellate Court has nullified this ruling.
The Appellate court determined that Abure’s appeal was well-founded and thus granted it.
The legal conflict between Abure and Apapa over the party’s chairmanship has been ongoing since the 2023 presidential election, in which LP’s Peter Obi finished third.
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On March 21, 2024, Abure was apprehended in Benin City, Edo State, with viral videos capturing him being manhandled by policemen, amidst resistance from LP supporters.
The police stated that Abure was arrested on charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and related offenses. Following protests by LP members, the LP chairman was released on bail the following day.