On May 19th, the Labour Party encountered a significant development when Obi Maduabuchi, the attorney representing factional chairman Lamidi Apapa, was prohibited from appearing in court on behalf of the party. This incident occurred amidst the aftermath of the February 25th election, where Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as the President-elect. In response, Peter Obi and the Labour Party filed a petition disputing Tinubu's victory, claiming that he had not been legitimately elected based on the majority of valid votes cast.
During the court hearing on Friday, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Awa Kalu announced his representation for the petitioners, as reported by Sahara Reporters and Arise News. Another SAN, Oba Maduabuchi, also declared his appearance as the representative of the Labour Party. Maduabuchi informed the court that he had been instructed by the party to represent them in the petition and had received a brief for that purpose.
However, the panel intervened and prevented Maduabuchi from proceeding. The judge expressed that the court could not accept two legal representatives in the case, especially considering that Apapa's lawyer was not the one who initiated the petition. Justice Haruna Tsammani advised Maduabuchi, a Senior Advocate, that it was his responsibility to provide appropriate guidance to his client. Consequently, Maduabuchi was presented with two options: to observe the proceedings or to leave the courtroom. He chose to leave
However, Maduabuchi informed the court, "I have been instructed by the Labour Party to appear on their behalf and represent them in this petition. I have been provided with a brief for this purpose."
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