The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the appeal filed by Barrister Julius Abure challenging the leadership of the Labour Party, affirming Senator Nenadi Usman as the legitimate national chairman.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, the appellate court upheld the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which aligned with the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria that removed Abure from office.
The court held that the apex court had conclusively resolved the leadership dispute on April 4, 2025, when it nullified the convention that produced Abure as national chairman, leaving no basis for further litigation on the matter.
It also affirmed that the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, acted within its constitutional powers in directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Usman as the party’s leader.
The appellate court further upheld the constitution of the Labour Party’s caretaker committee led by Usman, describing it as a necessary measure to fill a leadership vacuum within the party.
In a strong rebuke, the justices accused Abure of abuse of court process and forum shopping, particularly for approaching a Nasarawa State High Court on issues already settled by the Supreme Court.
Consequently, the court dismissed the appeal for lacking merit and imposed a fine of N10 million on Abure for wasting judicial time on a matter it said had been conclusively determined.
