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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has dismissed a preliminary objection by the national chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, and three others over their suspension from the party.
Justice Hamza Muazu, in a ruling on Friday, held that the court had the the jurisdiction to hear the matter and make the order restraining Abure and the others from parading themselves as national officers of the Labour Party.
Abure, national secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim; national treasurer, Oluchi Opara; and the national organising secretary, Clement Ojukwu, who were suspended on April 5, filed the motion challenging the court’s powers to hear the matter.
Arguing the motion, counsel to Abure and the three other national officers, Ben Nwosu Esq, said the matter was an internal affair of the Labour Party, which the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain and therefore non-justiceable.
The original suit was filed by Martins Esikpali, John O., Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhalu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, Job Elomah and Dr Abayomi Arabambi through their lawyer, James Onoja (SAN).
They also averred that the party chairman was suspended by the executives of Labour Party in Ward 03, Arue, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State via a resolution of March 31, 2023.
Justice Muazu adjourned substantive hearing of the case to May 19.
Meanwhile, lawyers to the Labour Party have vowed to appeal the ruling.