Beware of Contempt of Court, LP Warns Self-Proclaimed Chairman

• The Labour Party warned Callistus Okafor against actions that could lead to contempt of court charges following his self-declaration as National Chairman
• LP’s National Publicity Secretary emphasized that Okafor’s claims follow a court ruling validating Barrister Julius Abure as the legitimate National Chairman

The Labour Party (LP) has issued a warning to Callistus Okafor, who claims to be the party’s National Chairman. The warning advises him against actions that could lead to contempt of court charges.

On Friday, Obiora Ifoh, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, addressed the matter in Abuja. Okafor had earlier held a press conference claiming to have been part of the 2014 Labour Party National Convention and declaring himself the National Chairman.

Ifoh emphasized that Okafor’s claim comes after a recent Federal High Court judgment in Abuja validated the Nnewi Convention of the LP, which resulted in the election of Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman.

Ifoh remarked, “This latest development is coming after the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which recently validated the Nnewi Convention of the Labour Party, which produced a new set of executives led by Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman.

“We wish to state clearly that Callistus Okafor could be seen as a dramatist merely seeking attention. We are unsure of who is backing him, given that the party has already moved beyond his claims following two successful National Conventions.”

He reminded Nigerians that Okafor previously declared himself as the National Chairman in 2021 but lost in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal had ruled that Okafor could not use a Consent Judgment to claim the party’s leadership position.

Ifoh added: “The Court of Appeal clearly stated that Callistus Okafor cannot use the Consent Judgment to make himself the National Chairman of the Labour Party. The court reprimanded him and dismissed his suit with substantial costs, which he has yet to pay.”

The LP official expressed surprise at Okafor’s continued defiance of the court’s decision and warned him of the potential legal consequences of his actions.