Abure challenges court’s jurisdiction to hear suit seeking his removal

Julius Abure, suspended national chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has challenged the jurisdiction of a federal high court in Abuja to hear a suit seeking his removal as the party’s head.

Ruling on an ex parte application on April 5, Hamza Muazu, the presiding judge, also restrained three others — Farouk Ibrahim, Clement Ojukwu, and Oluchi Opara — from acting as national officers of the party.

The plaintiffs in the suit marked CV/2930/2023 told the court that the defendants forged several documents of the FCT high court to carry out unlawful substitutions in the last elections.

The suit was filed by Martins Esikpali John, Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, John Elomah and Ayobami Arabambi

On April 18, the judge had also refused to vacate the ex parte order.

At the court session on Thursday, Alex Ejesieme, Abure’s counsel, said he has filed a preliminary objection against the suit.

He said the application sought to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to adjudicate in the matter brought before it by the claimants.

The senior lawyer told the court that the plaintiffs invaded LP’s secretariat and vandalized it against the court order

Ejesieme said the allegation of forgery against his clients cannot be brough before the court through originating summon.

He also alleged that the plaintiffs are not members of the LP and therefore, lack the locus standi to institute the suit.

He further stated that the matter borders on the internal issues of the party which the court cannot interfere.

Meanwhile, George Ibrahim, counsel to the plaintiffs, told the judge that Abure and his co-defendants are still parading themselves as national officers of the LP in contempt of the court order.

Ibrahim objected to the preliminary objections of the 1st and 2nd counsel and urged the court to dismiss it.

The judge has fixed May 12 to rule on the preliminary objection.