The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld Julius Abure as the Chairman of the Labour Party (LP). Additionally, the Appellate Court overturned the ruling of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, which had previously restrained Abure and two others from assuming the roles of national officers within the party.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, the Appellate Court determined that the high court had erred in assuming jurisdiction over the matter. Moreover, the Appellate Court ordered Lamidi Apapa, the respondent, to pay One million Naira in costs to Abure.

Last year, Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court had issued an ex-parte order prohibiting Abure and two other national officers from acting as leaders of the party, alleging the forgery of national documents. However, the Appellate Court overturned this verdict, deeming Abure’s appeal meritorious.

The conflict between Abure and Apapa escalated following the 2023 presidential election, where LP’s Peter Obi secured third place. Abure has been embroiled in a prolonged legal battle with Apapa over the party’s chairmanship.

On March 21, 2024, Abure was apprehended in Benin City, the Edo State capital, amid viral videos depicting his altercation with law enforcement officers, while LP supporters attempted to prevent his arrest. The police cited charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and related offenses against Abure. Following protests by LP members, Abure was released on bail the following day.