TheCable

A high court of the federal capital territory (FCT) has granted an order staying the proceedings in the suit against Julius Abure, suspended national chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

Hamza Muazu, the presiding judge, granted the order on Friday, following a notice of appeal filed by Abure and other defendants in the suit.

Ruling on an ex parte application on April 5, Muazu had restrained Abure and three others — Farouk Ibrahim, Clement Ojukwu, and Oluchi Opara — from acting as national officers of the party.

The plaintiffs in the suit marked CV/2930/2023 told the court that the defendants forged several documents of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court to carry out unlawful substitutions in the last elections.

The suit was filed by Martins Esikpali John, Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, John Elomah and Ayobami Arabambi.

The defendants, through their lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, had filed a preliminary objection against the suit.

Ejesieme said the allegation of forgery against his clients could not be brought before the court through originating summon.

He also alleged that the plaintiffs were not members of the LP, therefore, lacked the locus standi to institute the suit.

The counsel said the matter bordered on the internal issues of the party which the court could not interfere with.

Ruling on the application on Friday, the judge held that the court has jurisdiction to adjudicate on issues relating to the party’s internal affairs.

The defendants told the court they had a notice pending at the court of appeal.

After much arguments from the parties, the judge granted an order staying the proceedings, pending the outcome of the appeal.

The order for stay does not invalidate the interim order which suspended the national executives.

Editor’s note: This report has been updated for accuracy.