Court stops Julius Abure from parading self as Labour Party chair

A federal capital territory (FCT) high court has issued an order restraining Julius Abure from parading himself as the national chairman of the Labour Party.

Ruling on an ex parte application on Wednesday, Hamza Muazu, presiding judge, also restrained  Abure;  Farouk Ibrahim, national secretary, Clement Ojukwu, national organising secretary and Oluchi Opara, treasurer, from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

The plaintiffs in the suit marked: CV/2930/2023 are Martins John, Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, Job Elomah, and Abayomi Arabambi.

Arguing the application, James Onoja, counsel to the plaintiffs, told the court that the defendants forged several documents of the FCT high court to carry out unlawful substitutions in the last elections.

Amongst several reliefs sought, the plaintiffs prayed the court to declare that “the 1st — 4th defendants lack the moral and legal standing to continue to function in office” as national officers.

“An order directing the 1st defendant to vacate office as the national chairman of the 5th defendants based on the communique issued by the Ward 03 Executive, Arue, Esan North East Local Government Area of the 5th defendant, Edo state chapter dated 31st March 2023.

“An order directing the national executive committee and the national working committee of the 5th defendant to appoint interim national chairman, national secretary, national treasurer, and national organising secretary for the 5th defendant pending the convention of the 5th defendant for such purpose.”

As well as, “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants from henceforth parading themselves as the national chairman, national secretary, national treasurer, and national organising secretary respectively of the 5th defendant”.