Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Labour Party has welcomed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Judicial Division, delivered on 2nd July 2026 in Appeal No. CA/OW/104/2026: Labour Party & 14 Ors. v. Abia State Independent Electoral Commission & 4 Ors, describing it as a further judicial affirmation of the settled legal position regarding the authority to institute or maintain legal proceedings in the name of the Party. This was contained in a statement signed by Ken Eluma Asogwa, National Publicity Secretary of Labour Party.
According to the statement: “The appeal arose from a pre-election matter following the decision of the Federal High Court. Upon discovering that an appeal had been filed in the name of the Labour Party without the knowledge, approval or authorisation of the Party’s recognised National Leadership under the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman, the National Legal Adviser, Mrs. Taiwo Mary Ajayi, Esq., promptly briefed Mr. C. Okoroafor through a formal letter of instruction dated 22nd June 2026 to represent the Party and take all necessary legal steps to withdraw the appeal.
The statement further reads: “When the matter came up before the Court of Appeal, two separate counsel announced appearances on behalf of the Labour Party. Faced with the conflicting claims of representation, the Court directed both counsel to produce documentary evidence establishing their authority to act for the Party.
“While Mrs. A. Oteh, who had initially filed the appeal, relied on a letter issued by Mr. C. K. Igara, who described himself as the South-East Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. C. Okoroafor presented a formal letter of authority issued by the National Legal Adviser on behalf of the recognised National Leadership of the Party.
“After examining the documents placed before it, the Court accepted the authority issued through the Office of the National Legal Adviser as the valid authorisation on behalf of the Labour Party. Consequently, Mrs. Oteh withdrew both her appearance for the Party and the counter-affidavit earlier filed in opposition to the application seeking the withdrawal of the appeal. The Court thereafter dismissed the appeal and awarded costs of ₦100,000 against counsel acting on the purported authority of Mr. C. K. Igara.
“The Labour Party considers this decision significant, as it once again reinforces the established legal principle that only the duly recognised National Leadership of the Party, acting through its authorised officers, possesses the legal competence to engage counsel and to commence, defend or sustain legal proceedings in the name of the Labour Party. Also, the judgement, in effect, reaffirmed the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman as the only authentic and valid leadership of the Party.
“The Labour Party reiterates that it will continue to challenge every attempt by unauthorised persons, including Barr. Julius Abure and Mr. C. K. Igara, to hold themselves out as representatives of the Labour Party or to initiate, defend, or maintain legal proceedings in its name without lawful authority.
“The Party remains resolute in its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional order, internal party discipline, respect for judicial pronouncements, and the protection of its corporate identity and institutional integrity, ” it also added.
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