Wednesday, February 21, 2024 – The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of the Labour Party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, along with four others.
Tijani Momoh, the spokesperson for the
Nigeria Police Force, Zone 5, covering Edo and Delta states, said Abure and the
others were arrested for attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and
other related offences.
A viral video showing how Abure was
arrested by some armed police officers emerged on the internet Wednesday
afternoon.
A petition written by the LP Youth Leader, Comrade Eragbe Anselm
Aphimia had accused Abure of committing violent acts against him.
Also, the suspended National Treasurer of
the Labour Party, Mrs Oluchi Opara, had insisted that Abure must submit the
party's finances to a forensic audit and explain the source of funds used by
him to acquire properties in Nigeria and overseas between 2022 and 2023.
But speaking to journalists on Wednesday,
Momoh said the “arrest of the factional chairman of the Labour Party, Julius
Abure and four others” has to do with a “written petition that was endorsed by
the AIG Zone 5 from the office of the Inspector General of Police”.
He said that the suspects were arrested for
attempted murder and that video clips and recordings show how the petitioner
was being “assaulted, being beaten when he came home last year to conduct ward
matters”.
“It is a case of attempted murder,
conspiracy, illegal possession of arms and other related offences,” he said.
According to Momoh, Abure and the other
suspects were also in “possession of firearms; a shotgun and three rounds of
ammunition”.
He added that the investigation into the
matter was still ongoing.
Anselm Aphimia’s petition addressed to the
Edo State Police Commissioner of Police, alleged that a “heinous act of
violence” was perpetrated against him on December 29, 2023.
He said, “I am a member and National Youth
Leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria, and the events I am about to
recount are of utmost importance for justice and the safety of individuals
involved in political activities.
“On December 28, 2023, I flew into Benin
City Airport around 2 p.m. as part of an official 5-member delegation
authorised by the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Alhaji Lamidi
Basiru Apapa.
“Our mission was to organise Ward, LGA, and
State Congresses in Edo State, as well as supervise the sale of nomination
forms for various posts, as mandated by INEC guidelines, within the stipulated
time frames.
“On arrival at the Benin Airport, I was
received by one Mrs Mary Okheime Newberry, who falsely claimed to be providing
transportation and accommodation on behalf of unnamed ‘stakeholders.
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