In a subtle yet noteworthy incident at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja on Friday, the faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by Lamidi Apapa enlisted the services of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to represent the party and make an appearance.

As soon as the petition filed by the Labour Party and its candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to contest the results of the February 25 presidential election was scheduled for a hearing, lawyers were requested to declare their representation. Chief Oba Maduabuchi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), promptly stood up and informed the court that he had been assigned to represent the LP. This announcement came after Prof. Awa Kalu, another SAN, had already declared his appearance along with five other senior lawyers, representing the petitioners.

Maduabuchi, SAN, informed the court that he had been mandated by the party to appear and act as its legal representative in the case.

Nonetheless, the five-member panel of the court, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, refused to acknowledge his presence.

"The petitioner should be the one to declare their representation as they filed the petition. We cannot recognize you," Justice Tsammani stated firmly.

Another panel member reprimanded Maduabuchi, SAN, for accepting the case despite being aware that the party already had its legal team.

"As an experienced senior advocate, you should have been aware and informed your instructing party that there are already lawyers handling the matter," the panel member remarked.

Recognizing that he would not be permitted to assume control of the case, Maduabuchi expressed his intention to return to his client and inform them about the court proceedings.

"We are not concerned with that. You can either leave the court or remain and observe the proceedings," Chairman of the panel, Justice Tsammani, further stated.

Previously, Obi, who was present in court, had declared himself as the representative for the petitioners.

Interestingly, both factional Chairmen of the party, Julius Abure and Lamidi Apapa, were present in court for the case.

It should be noted that on Tuesday, enraged youths had assaulted Apapa at the court premises, accusing him of being manipulated by individuals aiming to divide the party.

Apapa, who refuted the accusation of receiving N500 million to undermine Obi's case against Tinubu, was later placed under protective custody by security personnel assigned to the court.