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By Tracy Moses
The Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives has called on security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police, to act swiftly on the Attorney-General of the Federation’s recommendation to prosecute Julius Abure, the embattled former national chairman of the party.
Caucus leader, Hon. Afam Ogene, in a statement on Monday, 19th May2025, said recent developments have vindicated long-standing allegations by members of the caucus against Abure, following the confirmation by the Attorney-General’s office of a prima facie case involving criminal conspiracy, forgery, and perjury.
According to Ogene, a March 7, 2025 letter from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to the Inspector General of Police affirmed that investigations into a petition submitted by the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Splendour Oko Eze, had revealed credible evidence against Abure and three others.
The letter, signed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, explicitly recommended the prosecution of Abure alongside Farouk Umar Ibrahim, Nkwegu Edward Okereke, and Ojukwu Clement, for allegedly forging documents to illegally substitute Eze’s name at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after he lawfully emerged as the party’s candidate.
“I am directed to transmit the case file back to the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution,” the letter read in part.
However, Ogene decried the delay by the police in acting on the directive, describing their approach as foot-dragging and a disservice to justice.
“It is worrisome that more than two months after the Attorney General’s office gave clear instructions for prosecution, the police have yet to act decisively,” Ogene lamented, adding that the lack of urgency echoes the slow pace at which the matter has been handled over the last three years.
Referencing a March 9, 2023 investigation report by Assistant Commissioner of Police Junaid Bukar, Ogene recalled that police authorities had earlier expressed frustration over the refusal of some suspects to respond to multiple invitations for questioning.
ACP Bukar, in his report, stated: “Some of the suspects have vehemently refused to report in order to exercise their right to fair hearing, despite writing them four different letters. This is an affront to constituted authority and a blatant disregard for law and order.”
Eze, in his petition, had accused the four individuals of forging his signature and party documents to fraudulently claim that he had withdrawn from the gubernatorial race.
Ogene said this latest move by the AGF’s office validates earlier warnings by the LP caucus that Abure’s leadership was tainted by corrupt practices and internal manipulation of party processes for personal gain.
He called on the Inspector General of Police to act without further delay and ensure that those implicated are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Citing the DPP’s letter, Ogene emphasized that paragraph 2(i) of the document clearly established a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy, forgery, false declaration, and using false documents, while paragraph 3 instructed the Police to prosecute and provide periodic updates to the Attorney-General’s office.
“The law must take its course, and this case must serve as a lesson to others who believe they can subvert democracy through fraudulent tactics,” Ogene said.