Labour Party under Julius Abure warns lawyer Ken Asogwa to retract a “blackmail” statement against INEC and the judiciary or face an NBA petition
The Labour Party under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure has condemned a statement allegedly issued by one Ken Enuma Asogwa, said to be a media aide to Ms. Nenadi Usman, describing it as a calculated attempt to blackmail the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and ridicule the judiciary.
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In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party warned that it would petition the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) if Asogwa, who is also a lawyer, failed to retract his “offensive and embarrassing” comments within 72 hours.
According to Ifoh, Asogwa — acting on behalf of Ms. Usman, whom the party insists is not a member of the Labour Party — had accused the Acting INEC Chairman, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, of “criminally colluding” with Abure in the discharge of her official duties.
“The so-called press statement was a clear attempt to blackmail INEC and embarrass the judge of the High Court, thereby bringing the court into public ridicule,” Ifoh stated.
He described Asogwa’s remarks as “political zealotry and abuse of privilege” that would not go unchallenged, stressing that no lawyer should describe a valid court order as fake.
“We view his action as an attempt to bring the judiciary into disrepute. Lawyers argue their matters in court, not on social media.
Dragging the integrity of the court in the public space for political reasons is very unfortunate,” Ifoh added.
The party also criticised Asogwa for allegedly labelling individuals — including its National Chairman — as criminals without any court conviction, calling his actions reckless and unprofessional.
It further advised Ms. Usman and her “aides” to desist from what it described as cheap publicity stunts, challenging them to produce a valid court judgment affirming her as the Labour Party’s national chairman.
“To Nenadi Usman and her reggae boys, including one Tony Akeni, if things don’t go their way, they resort to bullying, blackmail, and intimidation.
INEC should not be intimidated because they are simply obeying a valid court order,” the statement continued.
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The Labour Party urged Ms. Usman to “act civil” and restrain her associates from further attacks on INEC and the judiciary, reaffirming its confidence in both institutions.
