The Labour Party (LP) has issued a strong demand for the immediate prosecution of its embattled former National Chairman, Julius Abure, and three others?Umar Farouk Ibrahim, Ojukwu Clement, and Edward Nkwegu Okereke?over allegations of perjury, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.

At a press conference held at the LP National Headquarters in Abuja, party officials, alongside anti-corruption activists, criticized the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice for failing to act on a standing criminal prosecution order issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) since October 25, 2023.

Addressing the press conference, Chairman of the Nigerian Corruption Watch Magazine, Labour Party (LP), Prince Dandy Rowland Comrade, on behalf of the LP National Caretaker Chairperson, Nenadi Usman, indicated that the case, originally brought forward by complainant Eze Oko, stems from accusations that Julius Abure and Umar Farouk Ibrahim forged a signature withdrawal letter submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 general elections.

According to her, a forensic audit report has allegedly confirmed this forgery, with Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the police investigation report reinforcing the charges.

Further claims suggested that Abure and Ibrahim manipulated a court order to unlawfully remove Eze Oko?the validly nominated Labour Party gubernatorial candidate for Ebonyi State?even after a Supreme Court ruling upheld his candidacy.

?The Nigeria Police Force?s Legal Department reportedly advised that the suspects be immediately charged, yet no action has been taken.

The Labour Party leadership sees this as a deliberate delay, which undermines President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?s anti-corruption agenda and tarnishes Nigeria?s justice system.

?This non-compliance with the IGP?s prosecution order is unacceptable,? the LP National Caretaker Committee (NCC) stated, ?and it has forced us to demand urgent action from the AGF.?

The LP further alleged that Abure has been boasting about his immunity, claiming that his sister?s position as a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice shields him from prosecution. Similarly, Farouk Ibrahim allegedly claimed to have high-ranking contacts within the DSS and the Police Force, whom he intends to use against his opponents.

To push for immediate prosecution, the Labour Party has announced a nationwide mobilization in collaboration with over 500 civil society organizations (CSOs). The coalition aims to bring at least 1,000 protesters per group to demand justice.

The LP has also condemned the accused for violating party regulations by conducting an illegal national convention in Anambra State on March 27, 2024, which has since been nullified by INEC.

In closing, the Labour Party?s National Caretaker Committee (NCC) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Attorney General of the Federation to act on the IGP?s directive and bring the accused to court.

?Forgery, perjury, and criminal conspiracy are serious crimes that should not be swept under the carpet.?

Should the authorities fail to act within the given timeframe, the LP and its allied CSOs are prepared to escalate legal and civil actions to ensure that justice is served. (The Guardian)

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