Appeal Court Overturned Federal High Court Judgment in Labour Party Leadership Dispute – LP Clears the Air
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In a significant legal development, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Abuja Division, has overturned the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in the case of Sen. Nenadi Esther Usman & Anor v. Labour Party & Anor. The appeal, numbered CA/ABJ/CV/1217/2024, was unreservedly allowed, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing leadership dispute within the Labour Party (LP).
The Court of Appeal’s judgment, delivered on January 17, 2025, addressed several critical points. The appellate court affirmed that the Federal High Court had no jurisdiction over the leadership dispute filed by Barr. Julius Abure, emphasizing that such disputes fall outside the purview of the Federal High Court.
Additionally, the appellate court found that the Federal High Court erred and acted without jurisdiction by entertaining the leadership dispute brought before it by Barr. Julius Abure.
The Court of Appeal also noted that the Federal High Court violated the appellants’ right to fair hearing by failing to consider their Counter-Affidavit filed in opposition to the suit. As a result, the Court of Appeal struck out the suit filed before the Federal High Court for lack of jurisdiction.
In a statement issued by the National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, and Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the Labour Party leadership expressed their satisfaction with the appellate court’s decision.
They stated, “The Court of Appeal has rightly upheld the principle that courts lack jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties, including leadership and management issues.”
The statement also addressed an erroneous finding by the Court of Appeal in a separate judgment delivered on November 13, 2024, in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024; Labour Party v. Olusola Ebisen & Ors.
The court had erroneously admitted Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party. The Labour Party leadership clarified that this judgment pertained to the nomination of a Governorship Candidate for the Ondo State Governorship Election and had no connection to the leadership dispute.
The Labour Party reiterated the established legal principle in Nigeria that courts should not interfere in the internal affairs of political parties. They commended the Court of Appeal for upholding this position and reaffirmed their commitment to effective leadership within the party.
The statement concluded by reminding the public that on September 4, 2024, the Labour Party constituted a National Caretaker Committee, appointing Senator Nenadi Esther Usman as the National Caretaker Committee Chairman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha as the National Caretaker Committee Secretary.
Both noted that they have been diligently and effectively carrying out their duties to the admiration of stakeholders and the entire membership of the party.
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