By Jude Opara
The Labour Party has welcomed a Court of Appeal judgment which it says affirms that only the party’s recognized national leadership has the authority to initiate or approve legal proceedings in its name.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the party’s spokesman, Ken Asogwa, the party said the appellate court’s decision strengthens the legal position on who can validly represent the Labour Party in litigation.
According to Asogwa, the case arose from a pre-election dispute in which an appeal was allegedly filed without the approval of the leadership headed by Nenadi Usman.
He explained that the party’s National Legal Adviser, Taiwo Ajayi, subsequently instructed counsel C. Okoroafor to withdraw the appeal on behalf of the party.
During proceedings, two lawyers appeared before the court, each claiming to represent the Labour Party. The court reportedly directed both counsel to present documentary evidence establishing their authority to act.
Asogwa said the court accepted the authorization issued by the National Legal Adviser as the valid mandate to represent the party, while the opposing counsel later withdrew her appearance and counter-affidavit.
The appeal was thereafter dismissed, with the court awarding costs of N100,000.
The Labour Party maintained that the judgment reinforces the legitimacy of the Nenadi Usman-led national leadership in handling the party’s legal affairs and vowed to continue resisting attempts by unauthorized persons to institute or defend court actions in its name.
The party also reiterated its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional order, internal discipline and respect for judicial decisions.
