The Labour Party has welcomed a judgement of the Court of Appeal affirming that only its recognised national leadership has the authority to institute or authorise legal proceedings on behalf of the party.
The party disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa.
According to Asogwa, the judgement, delivered on Thursday by the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, reinforces the legal position that only the party’s duly recognised leadership can authorise litigation in its name.
He explained that the appeal arose from a pre-election dispute in which an appeal was allegedly filed without the approval of the Labour Party’s recognised leadership under Nenadi Usman.
Asogwa said the party’s National Legal Adviser, Taiwo Ajayi, subsequently instructed counsel, C. Okoroafor, to withdraw the appeal on behalf of the party.
He noted that during the proceedings, two lawyers appeared before the appellate court, with each claiming to represent the Labour Party.
According to him, the court directed both counsel to provide documentary evidence establishing their authority to act for the party.
Asogwa said one of the lawyers relied on a letter issued by C.K. Igara, while the other presented a letter of authorisation from the party’s National Legal Adviser.
He stated that the court recognised the authorisation issued by the National Legal Adviser as the valid authority to represent the Labour Party in the matter.
According to the party spokesman, the opposing counsel subsequently withdrew her appearance and counter-affidavit, following which the court dismissed the appeal and awarded costs of ₦100,000.
Asogwa said the judgement further reaffirmed the leadership of Nenadi Usman as the authentic national leadership authorised to institute, defend and manage legal matters on behalf of the Labour Party.
He added that the party would continue to resist attempts by unauthorised individuals to initiate or defend legal proceedings in its name.
The Labour Party also reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional order, internal party discipline, respect for judicial pronouncements, and the protection of its institutional integrity.
