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….Police Accused of Delay Despite Clear Evidence, LP Reps Caucus Leader Says I’ve Been Vindicated

In a bombshell revelation that could shake the foundation of one of Nigeria’s major opposition parties, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has officially recommended the prosecution of embattled former Labour Party (LP) National Chairman, Julius Abure, over alleged involvement in a criminal conspiracy, forgery, perjury, and the use of false documents to manipulate the party’s 2023 governorship candidate list in Ebonyi State.

This directive was contained in a letter dated March 7, 2025, from M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, addressed to the Inspector General of Police and marked Ref: DPPA/REQ/557/23. The letter detailed findings from four harmonized police investigation reports, concluding there is prima facie evidence to prosecute Abure and three others—Farouk Umar Ibrahim, Nkwegu Edward Okereke, and Ojukwu Clement—for criminal conspiracy and forgery-related offences under multiple sections of the Penal Code.

Forgery of Candidate Withdrawal Documents Uncovered

The heart of the matter lies in the alleged criminal substitution of Comrade Splendour Oko Eze, the legitimate winner of the LP gubernatorial primaries for Ebonyi State held on June 9, 2022.

The investigations revealed that after Eze’s name was duly submitted to and published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abure and his associates allegedly forged a withdrawal letter and supporting documents to replace him as the party’s candidate.

A forensic comparison of Eze’s genuine signature with the one used in the purported withdrawal documents showed clear discrepancies, with investigators concluding the signature was forged. Compounding the issue, the affidavit used to back the withdrawal was also found not to have been sworn by Eze.

Despite the suspects denying direct involvement in the forgery, the investigation concluded they had the greatest motive and did not deny using the falsified documents to submit substitution forms (EC11B and EC9) to INEC—evidence, the DPP states, that establishes both intent and action in furtherance of a criminal act.

AGF’s Directive: Prosecute and Report

In unambiguous terms, paragraph 3 of the AGF’s directive stated:
“Consequently, I am directed to transmit the case file back to the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution, and the NPF is required to provide periodic updates on the progress of the case to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation.”

Yet, more than two months since the directive, there is growing concern over the Police’s inaction. Critics, including Labour Party officials and legal analysts, have accused the Force of foot-dragging—a move many see as an attempt to quietly bury the matter.

Ogene: “I’ve Been Vindicated”

Hon. Afam Ogene, leader of the Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives, has welcomed the AGF’s position, claiming it validates his longstanding criticisms of Abure’s leadership.

“I’ve always maintained that Mr. Abure lacked the moral standing to lead a party like ours,” Ogene stated. “This development is not just vindication for me, but a signal that democracy can still work if institutions act.”

Ogene cited paragraph 2(i) of the DPP’s letter, which concludes that the accused “conspired and participated in committing the alleged offences, thereby establishing a prima facie case…”

He lamented that the Police’s delay is consistent with their handling of the matter over the past three years, during which suspects repeatedly ignored official summons and allegedly evaded justice.

Splendour Eze: A Legal Battle for Justice

Comrade Splendour Oko Eze, who has waged a three-year legal battle to reclaim his mandate, previously triumphed at the Federal High Court in Abakaliki, the Appeal Court in Enugu, and the Supreme Court in Abuja.

His petition sparked the investigation that led to the damning report. He accused Abure and his allies of using a forged court order and documents to unlawfully substitute his name, describing the act as not only fraudulent but a “grave assault on democracy.”

Mounting Pressure on the Police

Calls are now intensifying for the Inspector General of Police to act decisively. Ogene warned that continued inaction would erode public confidence in law enforcement and embolden political actors who manipulate internal democratic processes.

“The law must be seen to apply equally to all,” he said. “This case is now a litmus test for the Nigeria Police Force and its commitment to upholding justice.”

What’s Next?

With the Attorney General’s office demanding periodic updates, all eyes are on the Nigeria Police Force as the nation awaits their next move. Will justice finally be served? Or will this explosive case, like many before it, disappear into the abyss of Nigerian political scandals?

For now, the ball is firmly in the Police’s court.

StreetReporters.ng

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