The Labour Party has hailed a Court of Appeal judgment affirming that only its recognised national leadership, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, has the legal authority to initiate, defend or withdraw court cases on behalf of the party.
In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, the party described the July 2, 2026 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, in Appeal No. CA/OW/104/2026 as a landmark ruling that clarifies the question of who is authorised to represent the Labour Party in legal proceedings.
The case arose from a pre-election dispute after an appeal was allegedly filed in the party’s name without the approval of its recognised national leadership.
According to the statement, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Taiwo Mary Ajayi, upon discovering the development, authorised legal practitioner, Mr. C. Okoroafor, through a letter dated June 22, 2026, to represent the party and withdraw the appeal.
During the hearing, two separate lawyers appeared on behalf of the Labour Party, prompting the Court of Appeal to request documentary evidence of their authority to act for the party.
While one counsel relied on a letter purportedly issued by the party’s South-East Vice Chairman, Mr. C. K. Igara, Mr. Okoroafor presented a formal letter of authority issued by the Office of the National Legal Adviser on behalf of the recognised national leadership.
After reviewing the documents, the appellate court upheld the authority granted by the National Legal Adviser as the valid mandate to represent the Labour Party.
Following the ruling, the counsel who had initially filed the appeal withdrew her appearance and the counter-affidavit earlier filed in the matter. The court subsequently dismissed the appeal and awarded ₦100,000 in costs against the counsel who acted on the authority presented by Mr. Igara.
Reacting to the judgment, the Labour Party said the decision reaffirmed that only its duly recognised national leadership has the power to appoint legal representatives and institute, defend or withdraw legal proceedings in the party’s name.
The party added that the judgment further reinforced Senator Nenadi Usman’s position as the authentic leader of the Labour Party and vowed to resist any attempt by unauthorised individuals, including Julius Abure and Mr. C. K. Igara, to represent the party or institute legal actions without proper authorisation.
It reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional governance, internal party discipline, respect for judicial decisions and the protection of the party’s institutional integrity.
