Just in: Labour Party’s National Chairman, Abure, Arrested

The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Julius Abure, has been nabbed by the Police.

He was apprehended in Benin City, Edo State capital, on Wednesday,
Persecondnews reports.

Abure’s arrest comes amid allegations of misappropriation of party funds.

The party’s National Treasurer, Ms Oluchi Opara, had accused Abure of misappropriating N3.5 billion generated ahead of the 2023 general elections.

According to her, Abure diverted N55 million out of the N3.5 billion raised from sales of forms and fundraising activities in the build-up to the 2023 elections, for personal use.

She said: “Under Mr Abure’s watch, over N3.5 billion was raised from the sale of nomination forms for the 2023 general elections.

“However, apart from the proceeds of the sale of forms from his home state of Edo, which was diverted to Mr Abure’s private accounts, he only declared N55 million to me as treasurer, of the over N3.5 billion raised, pocketing the rest for himself.

“During off-cycle elections in several states last year, the party raised around N958m from nomination forms and donations. These funds have completely vanished under under Mr Abure’s oversight – with zero paper trail.”

The party subsequently suspended Ms Opara over the allegations.

Meanwhile, Police have confirmed the arrest of Abure.

The spokesman for Zone 5 Police Command, DSP Tijani Momoh, said Abure was arrested for attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and other related offences.

Momoh said Abure and four others have been detained following a petition against them.

He said: “I wish to confirm the arrest of the factional chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, and four others.

“It has to do with a written petition that was endorsed by the AIG Zone 5 from the office of the Inspector General of Police.

“There are video clips, recordings of the petitioner 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. They were also in possession of firearms; a short gun and three rounds of ammunition.

“Investigation is ongoing. They were just arrested today. More details will be provided later.”