Police arrest LP National Chairman

The beleaguered National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Barr. Julius Abure, was detained on Wednesday in Benin City, the state capital, by a group of stern-looking armed policemen, less than 48 hours before the Labour Party (LP) governorship primary election in Edo State, which is scheduled for this Friday.

Following the Labour Party's state chairsmen's vote of confidence in him on Tuesday, he was placed under arrest.

According to LEADERSHIP, Abure is accused of embezzling N3 billion in party monies that were realised as contributions for the 2023 electioneering campaign.

Abure was being questioned by investigators at the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 5 office in Benin City as of the time of this report, while a sizable contingent of LP supporters surrounded the police zonal headquarters.

Although the precise reason for the arrest was unknown, reliable sources said it might have something to do with the petitioner's several accusations against Abure.

Abure was being kept inside the Police zonal headquarters, which was blocked off and did not allow journalists to enter the building.

However, confirming the arrest, Police Zonal Public Relations Officer, Tijani Momoh, said: “there is a standing order for now that nobody should come in. Yes, the LP chairman is here and it has to do with petition that was referred to this office from the Inspector General of Police. But I cannot give content of the petition right now.”

When asked if he was being detained or he was there just to give his statement, Momoh said: “I don’t know for now.”