The National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Barr. Julius Abure, has been arrested in Edo State.
Vanguard reported that Abure was arrested on Wednesday following a petition filed by the National Youth Leader of LP, Comrade Eragbe Anselm Aphimia on allegations of attempted murder.
The embattled Abure is also facing allegations of embezzlement of N3 billion belonging to the party, which was laid by the suspended National Treasurer of the party, Oluchi Opara.
It was learnt that Eragbe petitioned the Edo State Commissioner of Police in a letter dated February 13, 2024.
He alleged that a mob working at the behest of Abure on December 29, 2023, attempted to kill him.
The petition read in part, “I, Comrade Eragbe Anselm, write to you with utmost urgency and grave concern regarding a heinous act of violence perpetrated against me on the 29th of December 2023.
“I am a member and National Youth Leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria, and the events I am about to recount are of utmost importance for justice and the safety of individuals involved in political activities.
“On December 28, 2023, I flew into Benin City Airport around 2 p.m. as part of an official 5-member delegation authorised by the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Alhaji Lamidi Basiru Apapa.
“Our mission was to organise Ward, LGA, and State Congresses in Edo State, as well as supervise the sale of nomination forms for various posts, as mandated by INEC guidelines, within the stipulated time frames.
“On arrival at the Benin Airport, I was received by one Mrs Mary Okheime Newberry, who falsely claimed to be providing transportation and accommodation on behalf of unnamed “stakeholders.”
“She proceeded to lodge us at the Smart Homes Hotel, unknown to us that she was plotting a sinister and gruesome ambush. The next morning, a man named Austin Emeka came to pick me and my colleague, Mr Patrick Anethua, up from the hotel lobby, pretending to take us to a meeting venue.
“Instead, we were violently attacked just outside the hotel gates by a waiting mob.”
The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Chidi Nwabuzor, has not confirmed the incident.
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