LP hails A’Court judgment as Apapa faction heads to S’Court

The leadership of the Labour Party has welcomed Wednesday’s judgment of the Appeal Court that vacated the order restraining Julius Abure and three others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

The judgment comes barely one year after the presiding judge, Hamza Muazu, ruled on an ex parte application that suspended Abure, Farouk Ibrahim, Clement Ojukwu, and Oluchi Opara.

On May 12, 2023, Muazu also dismissed the preliminary objection raised by Abure challenging his removal as chairman of the LP.

The suit which was filed by Martins John, Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, John Elomah, and Abayomi Arabambi accused Abure and others of forging several documents of the FCT high court to carry out unlawful substitutions in the last elections.

The defendants through their lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, contended that an allegation of forgery against his clients cannot be brought before the court by way of an originating summon.

But delivering the lead judgment on Wednesday, Justice Hamma Barka held that the high court was wrong to have assumed jurisdiction over the matter.

Barka also held that the lower court was wrong to have interfered in the internal affairs of the political party.

Applauding the judgment, National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, said they have always known that the court will do justice to the issue of leadership tussle rocking the party.

He said, “We thank God that everything has come to an end. We are also using this opportunity to call on them to collaborate with us if they have an interest in this country and the dream of a new Nigeria at heart.

“Nigerians are suffering under this government. Under this government, things are getting harder. I think we are starting on the right note now to position the party to wrest power from this incumbent government.”

Reacting, the Spokesman of the Lamidi Apapa faction, Abayomi Arabambi, rejected Wednesday’s judgment, saying the court has no jurisdiction over the matter.

Arabambi also told The According that they will be heading to the Supreme Court for redress.

“That judgment is wrong and we reject it in its entirety. In any case, we will be heading for the Supreme Court to demand justice,” he stated.