The Court Of Appeal in Abuja on Wednesday, March 6, affirmed Julius Abure as the chairman of the Labour Party, LP.
It also set aside the decision of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory which in 2023, restrained Abure and two others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.
Justice Hamma Barka, while delivering judgment, held that the High Court was wrong to have assumed jurisdiction on the matter.
The Appellate Court also awarded a cost of N1 million in favour of Abure and against the respondent, Lamidi Apapa.
Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory had in 2023, granted an ex-parte order, ordering that Abure and two other national officers stop parading themselves as leaders of the party for allegedly forging national documents but the Court of Appeal has now set the verdict aside.
It held that Abure’s appeal has merit and was thereby allowed.
Following the 2023 presidential election with LP’s Peter Obi coming third, Abure has been in a protracted legal conflict with Apapa who laid claim to the party’s chairmanship.
It will be recalled that Abure was arrested in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on February 21, with viral videos showing him being manhandled by policemen, even as LP supporters fought to prevent his arrest.
The police had said Abure was arrested for attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and related offences.
The LP chairman was later released on bail the following day after protests by members of the party.
