The Labour Party (LP) Caucus Leader in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Ogene, who represents the Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, has said he feels vindicated by the recent recommendation of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for the prosecution of LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, over alleged criminal conspiracy, perjury, and forgery.
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Ogene, a long-time critic of Abure’s leadership, has consistently questioned the embattled national chairman’s moral authority to continue leading the party. His position was further reinforced by recent pronouncements of the Supreme Court and a series of damning allegations against Abure.
The AGF’s recommendation, which was made on March 7, 2025, stemmed from a petition filed by the LP’s Ebonyi State governorship candidate, Splendour Oko Eze. The petition, Ogene noted, was supported by findings from official investigations.
According to a letter from the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, M.B. Abubakar, addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the investigation established a prima facie case against Julius Abure, Farouk Umar Ibrahim, Nkwegu Edward Okereke, and Ojukwu Clement.
The letter read in part:
“Based on the brief from your office, there is prima facie evidence against the suspects… to support offences of criminal conspiracy, forgery, using as genuine a false document, giving false evidence, and false declaration, contrary to Sections 97, 362, 363, 364, 156, 158, and 164 of the Penal Code.
“Findings showed that Mr. Splendour Oko Eze, a registered member of the Labour Party, participated in and won the gubernatorial primaries for Ebonyi State on June 9, 2022.
“Following the primaries, Mr. Splendour’s name was submitted to and published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s candidate.
“However, on August 3, 2022, Julius Abure submitted a withdrawal and substitution of candidate form (EC 11B and EC9) to INEC, replacing Mr. Splendour’s candidacy.
“Investigations revealed that the withdrawal letter and LP membership card purportedly used to effect this substitution were forged.
“Forensic analysis confirmed discrepancies between Mr. Splendour’s known signature and the one on the alleged withdrawal documents. Despite denying any wrongdoing, the suspects’ use of these forged documents establishes motive and intent.
“The affidavit supporting the withdrawal was also found not to have been sworn by Mr. Splendour.”
The AGF consequently directed the police to proceed with prosecution.
In his reaction, Ogene expressed concern over what he described as the police’s lethargic attitude in implementing the AGF’s directive.
“This lethargy reflects how this matter has been handled from the outset. In an investigation report dated March 9, 2023, by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Junaid Bukar, the Police lamented that some of the suspects had refused to honour invitations—despite four written letters—thus denying themselves the opportunity of a fair hearing,” Ogene stated.
Recall that Splendour Oko Eze had alleged that Abure, Ibrahim, Okereke, and Clement criminally substituted his name at INEC after he lawfully emerged as the LP governorship candidate. He accused them of forging his signature and party membership card to back a fraudulent affidavit claiming his withdrawal from the race.
Ogene described the development as a validation of his long-standing position that Abure’s leadership was tainted by corruption and internal manipulation for personal gain.
He called on the Inspector General of Police to take swift and decisive action to ensure the suspects are brought to justice, stressing that such accountability is necessary to preserve internal party democracy and deter future infractions.
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