The Labour Party has hailed a recent Court of Appeal judgment affirming that only its recognised national leadership has the legal authority to initiate or maintain court actions on behalf of the party.
The party made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa.
According to Asogwa, the judgment, delivered on July 2 in Owerri, reaffirmed the legal position on who is authorised to institute or sustain litigation in the party’s name.
He explained that the case stemmed from a pre-election dispute in which an appeal was allegedly filed without the approval of the party’s recognised leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman.
Asogwa said the party’s National Legal Adviser, Taiwo Ajayi, subsequently directed counsel, C. Okoroafor, to withdraw the appeal on behalf of the Labour Party.
He noted that during proceedings, two lawyers appeared before the Court of Appeal, with each claiming to represent the party.
According to him, the appellate court ordered both counsel to present documentary evidence proving their authority to act for the Labour Party.
He said one lawyer relied on a letter issued by C.K. Igara, while the other presented authorisation from the National Legal Adviser.
“The court accepted the authority issued through the National Legal Adviser as the valid authorisation for representing the Labour Party,” Asogwa stated.
He added that the opposing counsel later withdrew her appearance and counter-affidavit, prompting the court to dismiss the appeal and award N100,000 in costs.
Asogwa said the ruling further affirmed Senator Usman’s leadership as the authentic national leadership empowered to act for the party in legal matters.
He stressed that the Labour Party would continue to challenge any attempt by unauthorised individuals to institute or defend legal proceedings in its name.
He also reiterated the party’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, constitutional order, internal discipline, judicial pronouncements and the protection of its institutional integrity.
