Labour Party National Chairman Reinstated By The Appeal Court

Julius Abure, Labour Party National Chairman

Julius Abure remains LP's national chairman, according to the Appeal Court.

Julius Abure was upheld as the Labour Party's (LP) national chairman by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Wednesday.

The Federal Capital Territory High Court's ruling prohibiting Abure and two other individuals from presenting themselves as national officers of the party was also overturned by the appellate court in its ruling.

However, Justice Hamman Barka ruled on Wednesday that the high court erred in assuming jurisdiction over the case.

Abure filed an appeal contesting the trial court's decision, and Justice Barka, chairing the three-person panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal, delivered the judgment stating that Abure's appeal has merit and was thus granted.

The Appellate Court ruled on Wednesday that the high court erred in assuming jurisdiction over the case. Justice Hamma Barka delivered the judgment.

Additionally, the Appellate Court granted Abure and denied Lamidi Apapa's request for a cost of one million naira.

Declaring, “The lower court's judgment is hereby set aside, he held and granted the appellant a N1 million cost.”

The Federal Capital Territory High Court's Justice Hamza Muazu issued an ex-parte order last year directing Abure and two other national officers to cease representing themselves as party leaders after they were accused of forging national documents. However, the Appellate Court overturned the decision.

Abure was taken into custody on March 21, 2024, in Benin City, the capital of Edo State. While LP supporters battled to stop his arrest, viral videos emerged of Abure being physically assaulted by police.

According to the police, Abure was detained for attempted murder, unlawful gun possession, and other offenses. After LP members protested, the LP chairman was later released on bail the next day.