The Court of Appeal in Benin, Edo State, has upheld the position of Comrade Julius Abure, a lawyer, as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP.)
In a legal case brought by Lucky Shaibu, a prominent member of the LP, against Abure and five others (with reference number: CA/B/93/2023), Justices Theresa Abadua, Fatima Akinbami, and Sybil Nwaka-Gbagi, reached a unanimous decision yesterday, dismissing the appellant’s appeal.
Lucky Shauibu, who claimed to be a member of the LP’s Ward 3 executive in Esan Northeast Local Government Area of Edo, was behind the suspension of Abure from his position as the chairman of the LP.
In the lead judgment, Justice Abadua upheld the decision of the High Court of Edo State, Benin, and stated that one individual couldn’t unilaterally suspend the national chairman of the LP, as outlined in Articles 13 and 17 of the party’s constitution and the prevailing Electoral Act of 2022. This was especially true when the appellant had been labeled as unknown by the party.
The court collectively invalidated the previous suspension and any actions taken against Abure and the party due to the alleged suspension.
In response to the judgment, Abure expressed appreciation for the boldness of the appellate court judges in Benin for upholding justice. He also praised his legal team, led by G.C. Igbokwe, SAN, for their excellent work in the case.
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Igbokwe described the judgment as sound, courageous, and beyond reproach. He emphasized that, in accordance with the ruling, Abure would continue to hold the position of the national chairman of LP until the party’s convention is held.
This is coming as the Labour Party awaits the judgement of the presidential election tribunal where they hope its presidential candidate, Peter Obi will emerge victorious