Appeal Court Affirms Abure As Labour Party Chairman, Slams N1m Fine On Apapa

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the position of Julius Abure as the Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

The Appellate Court also overturn the decision of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that had restrained him and two others from assuming national party roles last year.

In the judgment delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, the Appellate Court ruled that the high court erred in assuming jurisdiction over the matter.

The court also awarded a cost of One million Naira in favor of Abure and against the respondent, Lamidi Apapa.

Last year, Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court had issued an ex-parte order, barring Abure and two other national officers from presenting themselves as party leaders, citing alleged forgery of national documents.

However, the Appellate Court set aside this decision, deeming Abure’s appeal as having merit.

The legal dispute between Abure and Apapa intensified after the 2023 presidential election, where LP’s Peter Obi secured the third position.

Abure has been embroiled in a prolonged legal conflict with Apapa over the party’s chairmanship.

On March 21, 2024, Abure faced arrest in Benin City, Edo State, with viral videos depicting police manhandling him, while LP supporters resisted his apprehension.

The police cited charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and related offenses for Abure’s arrest. Following protests by LP members, Abure was released on bail the next day.

KanyiDaily recalls that Julius Abure was released last Wednesday after he was arrested along with other party members in Benin City.