Nigeria: Police arrest Labour Party Chairman, Julius Abure, amid multibillion-naira fraud allegations
The national chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has been arrested by the Nigerian Police in Benin City, Edo State, following allegations of involvement in a multibillion-naira fraud scheme.
A video circulating on the internet captured the moment armed police officers apprehended Abure.
The arrest, according to Sahara Reporters, stemmed from a petition filed by the LP Youth Leader, Comrade Eragbe Anselm Aphimia, accusing Abure of perpetrating violent acts against him.
Additionally, Mrs. Oluchi Opara, the suspended National Treasurer of the Labour Party, demanded that Abure undergo a forensic audit and account for funds totaling N3.5 billion allegedly misappropriated during the 2023 general elections.
Opara further pressed Abure to clarify the source of funds used to acquire properties both domestically and overseas between 2022 and 2023.
She demanded transparency regarding the N958 million raised from off-cycle elections in 2023, as well as funds generated from a US fundraising tour.
In response, Abure faced mounting pressure to address the allegations. Opara insisted on unfettered access to party accounts and called for an independent forensic audit to scrutinise financial transactions.
She stressed the importance of restoring integrity to the party’s financial dealings.
Amidst the escalating crisis, Opara condemned what she perceived as Abure’s abuse of power and urged him to uphold transparency and accountability within the party.
She called upon members of the Labour Party and the public to rally behind her in demanding ethical governance.
“The Labour Party belongs to its broad membership, not a single power-drunk individual. I urge Mr Abure to do the honourable thing and submit himself to a transparent process that will restore confidence, trust, and integrity in our party’s financial dealings. I sincerely hope the chairman seized this opportunity to clear the air. Our loyal supporters deserve nothing less.
“Accordingly, I call upon Mr Julius Abure to come clean and be held accountable for his actions. I demand that he immediately relinquish his stranglehold on the party’s finances and allow me to carry out my constitutionally assigned duties without interference.
“The Labour Party was founded on the principles of justice, equality, and integrity, and it is incumbent upon all of us to uphold these values in the face of corruption and abuse of power.
“I equally urge all members of the Labour Party, including H.E. Mr. Peter Obi, and the Nigerian public to stand with me in demanding accountability and transparency from our chairman.
“We cannot allow the actions of a few individuals to tarnish the hard-earned reputation of our party or undermine the trust of the people we serve. It is time for change, and I stand ready to fight for the principles that define us as a party and as a nation,” Opara said.
Furthermore, Opara recounted a harrowing incident where she and a colleague were subjected to violence orchestrated by individuals linked to Abure, illustrating the extent of the turmoil surrounding the allegations.
The unfolding saga underscores the gravity of the accusations leveled against Abure and the urgent need for accountability within the Labour Party’s leadership ranks.
