Labour Party caucus leader in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Ogene, says the recent recommendation by the Attorney General of the Federation for the prosecution of former LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, over alleged crimes including criminal conspiracy, perjury, and forgery, has vindicated him.
The Attorney General recommended Abure’s prosecution by the Nigeria Police on March 7, 2025, according to a letter from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation to the Inspector General of Police.
This follows a petition by the party’s governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, which was substantiated by investigations.
According to a letter to the IGP dated March 7, 2025, and signed by M.B. Abubakar, Director, Public Prosecutions of the Federation, both the police and the Attorney General’s office found merit in the petition, leading to the recommendation for prosecution. His words: “Consequently, I am directed to transmit the case file back to the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution…”
But more than two months after the clear instructions of the Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute the accused, the Police appear to be dragging their feet in carrying out their constitutional responsibility.
Ogene has consistently questioned the embattled LP national chairman’s moral authority to lead the party, particularly following the recent Supreme Court pronouncement and numerous allegations of malfeasance against him.
Hon. Ogene stated that this development vindicates his stance that Abure’s party leadership was marred by corruption and unfair manipulation of internal election processes for selfish reasons. He, therefore, urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the suspects are brought to justice, to serve as a deterrent to other political leaders with similar intentions that undermine democracy.
The lawmaker said that the document was very explicit in paragraph 2 (i) which stated thusly: “The investigation report concludes that the four suspects conspired and participated in commiting the alleged offences, thereby establishing a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy, forgery, using as genuine a false document, giving false evidence and false declaration.”
Paragraph three of the letter also requested that they be prosecuted and a periodic report about the prosecution provided to the office of the Attorney General by the Police.
