Court stops LP Chairman, 3 others from parading as national officers

*National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Julius Abure

(Nigeria) A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama, on Wednesday, stopped the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Julius Abure, National Secretary, Alhaji Farouk Ibrahim and two others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

Others affected by the order are the National Organising Secretary, Mr. Clement Ojukwu and Treasurer of the party.

Trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu made the order, while ruling in an ex-parte application argued by Ogwu Onoja, SAN.

Plaintiffs in the matter are Mr. Martins Esikpali John O., Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, Job Elomah and Dr. Abayomi Arabambi.

Plaintiffs had prayed the court for: "A declaration that the 1st — 4th defendants cannot continue to remain in office as National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary of the 5th defendant consequent on the prima facie case of forgery, perjury and conspiracy established against them by the Commissioner of Police F.C.T and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory pending their prosecution in court.

"A declaration that the 1st — 4th defendants lack the moral and legal standing to continue to function in office as the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary of the 5th defendant having been indicted upon established prima facie case by the Commissioner of Police, F.C.T and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

"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 March 31, 2023.

"An order directing the 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th defendants to vacate office as the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary of the 5th defendant having been indicted upon established prima facie case by the Commissioner of Police, F.C.T and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

"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.

"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."

Onoja had in the application informed the court how the national officers allegedly forged several documents of the FCT High Court to carry out unlawful substitutions in the last general elections.

Among the documents were the receipts, seal and affidavits of the Court to carry out alleged criminal activities.

Onoja tendered several documents confirmed to the judge that the Chief Registrar of the Court wrote the Labour Party to disown several documents used for the alleged criminal activities by Abure and three others.

Onoja said that following their indictment by police investigation, the four people are to be arraigned in court adding that warrants for their arrest have already been obtained.

In a ruling, Justice Muazu held that the application and the supporting affidavits have made out a good case for the request to be granted.

The judge subsequently ordered that the four officers should immediately stop parading themselves as National Officers of Labour Party.

He fixed April 17 as return date for the continuation of the matter.