The Court Of Appeal has reaffirmed Julius Abure as National Chairman of the opposition Labour Party (LP).
Additionally, the Court of Appeal slammed a cost of N1 million in favour of Abure and against the respondent, Lamidi Apapa.
In its ruling in Abuja today Wednesday, he Appellate Court threw out the decision of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court which last year, restrained Abure from parading himself as LP National Chairman.
The ruling also stopped two others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.
However, today’s judgement delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, had the Appeal Court declaring that the High Court was wrong to have assumed jurisdiction over the matter.
Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court had last year, granted an ex-parte order, forbidding Abure and two other national officers from parading themselves as leaders of the party for allegedly forging national documents.
In the wake of the 2023 presidential poll with LP’s Peter Obi coming third, Abure has been enmeshed in a protracted legal conflict with Apapa, who laid claim to the party’s chairmanship.
Just last month, Abure was arrested in Benin City, the Edo State capital, with viral videos showing him being manhandled by policemen.
He was in the state for the governorship election primaries, later won by former Chairman of the NBA, Olumide Akpata.
The police had said Abure and others were arrested over allegations of attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms.
He was however released on bail the following day after protests by LP members.
