Reprieve for LP chairman, Abure, as court lifts suspension

Reprieve for LP chairman, Abure, as court lifts suspension

An Abuja High Court has granted an order of stay execution on the suspension of Julius Abure, Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) and others.

Others affected are the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Mr Clement Ojukwu, and National Treasurer, Oluchi Opara, who were earlier restrained by the court.

Justice Hamza Muazu after listening to arguments from the parties granted the order for a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal filed by the defendants.

The plaintiffs in the case are Martins Esikpali John; Lucky Shaibu; Isah Zekeri; Omogbai Frank; Abokhaiu Aliu; Ayohkaire Lateef; John Elomah and Dr Ayobami Arabambi,.

They had in an ex-parte motion, sought the removal of Abure and the three other national officers of the party.

Justice Muazu on April 5 issued an interim injunction stopping Abure and others from parading themselves as national officers of the LP.

At the sitting on Friday, the defendants told the court that they had a notice of appeal pending at the Court of Appeal. After much arguments from the parties, the judge granted an order for a stay of the suspension on Abure and the other officials of the LP as first served by the court.

Alex Ejesieme, SAN had on April 20 argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

He added that the eight plaintiffs that brought the case before the court were not members of the National Executive Council of the party and as such lacked the locus standi to institute the case.