By Michael Oche
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has said it will continue to recognize Julius Abure as National chairman of the Labour Party.
Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court in Abuja had on Wednesday suspended from office the National Chairman, the National Secretary, National Treasurer and the Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Messrs Julius Abure, Alhaji Farouk Ibrahim, Clement Ojukwu and Opara respectively.
But the NLC in a statement by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, viewed the sack of the leadership of the Labour Party with great suspicion which cannot be far from the intent to weaken the party from within or distract it from its fight to reclaim its victories at the polls.
“In light of this, we urge the courts to exercise utmost caution in entertaining frivolous suits and spurious prayers from mercenary party members as they are capable of compromising the integrity of the courts.
“We similarly join the league of those who canvass against the casual use of exparte in light of the grievousness of the injuries they quite often inflict,” Ajaero noted.
The NLC president argued that this extant court order does not only violate the principle of presumption of innocence, a cardinal pillar of our judicial system, it is an affront to justice itself.
He said the NLC finds it curious that while ex-convicts continue to occupy ample space in the public service or space without let or hindrance, those yet to be found guilty are already being harangued or hounded are being debarred from holding office.
He said further”the continued relevance of our courts cannot be divorced from the quality of their decisions or rulings. Accordingly, our courts are advised to refrain from taking decisions which portray them as having descended into the arena, or worse still, make them picketable.
“On our part, the grounds for suspending the quartet, either in the courtroom or outside it, are not there even as mischievous forces orchestrate evil. The quartet therefore remains executives of the party. In light of the foregoing, we invite the honourable court to review its decision forthwith.
“On the next adjourned date we are going to be in court in our numbers to listen to the Judge.”
