***Party Leadership Accuses AGF of Stalling IGP’s Prosecution Order
The internal crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has taken a new turn as the party leadership intensifies calls for the prosecution of its former National Chairman, Julius Abure, and three others—Umar Farouk Ibrahim, Ojukwu Clement, and Edward Nkwegu Okereke, over allegations of forgery, perjury, and criminal conspiracy.
At a press briefing in Abuja, LP officials, alongside anti-corruption activists, accused the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice of deliberately delaying action on a criminal prosecution order issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) since October 25, 2023.
Speaking on behalf of the party’s National Caretaker Chairperson, Nenadi Usman, Prince Dandy Rowland Comrade, Chairman of the Nigerian Corruption Watch Magazine, revealed that the allegations stem from a forged signature withdrawal letter submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 general elections.
The letter allegedly aimed to unlawfully replace Eze Oko as the LP gubernatorial candidate for Ebonyi State.
A forensic audit report has purportedly confirmed the forgery, with police investigation findings reinforcing the claims. The party insisted that despite legal advice from the Nigeria Police Force recommending immediate prosecution, the case has stalled without explanation.
The crisis deepened further as the LP accused Abure of boasting about immunity from prosecution due to his sister’s position as a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice.
Similarly, Farouk Ibrahim was alleged to have used his political connections within security agencies to shield himself from legal consequences.
To increase pressure on authorities, the LP has announced plans for a nationwide protest in collaboration with over 500 civil society organizations (CSOs). Each group is expected to mobilize at least 1,000 protesters to demand immediate action from the AGF.
In a related development, the party condemned an illegal national convention allegedly held by Abure in Anambra State on March 27, 2024, which was subsequently nullified by INEC. Party leaders claim this act further proves his disregard for legal and electoral processes.
With a seven-day ultimatum issued to the AGF, the Labour Party warned that failure to act on the IGP’s directive would result in escalated legal and civil actions.