… dismisses appeal filed without approval, awards ₦100,000 costs
By Ime Silas
The Labour Party has secured another major legal victory after the Court of Appeal, Owerri Judicial Division, ruled that only the national leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman can authorize litigation in the name of the party.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, July 2, 2026 in Appeal No. CA/OW/104/2026: Labour Party & 14 Ors. v. Abia State Independent Electoral Commission & 4 Ors., the appellate court upheld what the party described as “the settled legal position” on who has the competence to commence, defend, or withdraw court actions for Labour Party.
The case began as a pre-election matter that had earlier gone before the Federal High Court. However, controversy emerged when the party’s recognized National Leadership discovered that an appeal was filed in Labour Party’s name without its knowledge or consent.
According to a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, the National Legal Adviser, Mrs. Taiwo Mary Ajayi, Esq., immediately swung into action.
On June 22, 2026, she issued a formal letter of instruction to Mr. C. Okoroafor, briefed to represent the party and take all necessary steps to withdraw the unauthorized appeal.
When the matter came up before the Owerri Division of the Court of Appeal, two lawyers announced appearances for the same party. Mrs. A. Oteh said she represented Labour Party based on a letter from Mr. C. K. Igara, who described himself as the South-East Vice Chairman of the party.
On the other side, Mr. C. Okoroafor tendered a formal letter of authority issued by the Office of the National Legal Adviser on behalf of the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Working Committee.
Faced with the conflicting claims, the court ordered both counsel to produce documentary evidence proving their authority to act for Labour Party.
After reviewing the documents, the court accepted the authorisation issued through the National Legal Adviser as the only valid mandate.
Consequently, Mrs. Oteh withdrew her appearance for the party and also withdrew a counter-affidavit she had filed to oppose the application for withdrawal of the appeal.
The Court of Appeal thereafter dismissed the appeal in its entirety and awarded costs of ₦100,000 against counsel who acted on the purported authority of Mr. C. K. Igara.
“A reaffirmation of lawful leadership”
Reacting to the judgment, Labour Party said the decision is significant because it reinforces the principle that only the duly recognized National Leadership, acting through its authorized officers, can engage counsel or sustain legal proceedings for the party.
“The judgement in effect reaffirmed the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman as the only authentic and valid leadership of the Party,” the statement said.
The party also vowed to continue to challenge “every attempt by unauthorized persons, including Barr. Julius Abure and Mr. C. K. Igara, to hold themselves out as representatives of the Labour Party or to initiate, defend or maintain legal proceedings in its name without lawful authority.”
Commitment to rule of law
Labour Party said it remains committed to constitutional order, internal discipline, and respect for judicial pronouncements. It added that protecting the party’s corporate identity and institutional integrity will remain a priority as it prepares for future electoral contests.
The July 2 ruling is the latest in a series of court decisions that have addressed the leadership tussle within Labour Party since the 2023 general elections. The Usman-led national leadership of the Labour Party has consistently maintained that it is the only body recognized by law and by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to act for the party.
With the Court of Appeal now putting its weight behind that position again, the party says it will use the judgment to check what it calls “impersonation and forum shopping” by individuals who do not have the mandate of the national leadership.
The judgment is expected to have implications for other pending matters where Labour Party is a party, as courts are likely to insist on proof of authorisation from the Senator Nenadi Usman-led leadership before recognizing any legal representation.
