The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned its ruling in a suit challenging the appointment of Mr. Chiedu Ebie as Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to October 31. The adjournment follows allegations of wrongful appointment raised by a group of aggrieved Niger Deltans who have accused President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Attorney-General of the Federation, NDDC, and Ebie of violating the NDDC Act.
The plaintiffs, including Chief Goodnews Gereghewei, Chief Eddy Brayei, and Mr. Jonah Engineyouwei, argue that Ebie is unqualified for the position due to his lack of affiliation with the oil-producing areas that contribute the highest amounts of oil production. They filed the suit on behalf of the Bisangbene, Agge, and Amatu1 communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Additional parties, including representatives from Gbaramatu Kingdom and Itsekiri oil-producing communities in Delta State, have sought to join the suit as plaintiffs. In their originating summons, filed on January 11, 2024, the plaintiffs contend that both President Tinubu and the National Assembly acted contrary to the NDDC Act by screening and appointing Ebie.
In supporting affidavits, the plaintiffs claimed that Ebie’s appointment “was done in error and is against the clear provisions of the law,” arguing that the Senate’s confirmation of Ebie as NDDC Chairman was similarly flawed.
During previous court proceedings, the plaintiffs requested the court to determine Ebie’s eligibility, questioning whether his appointment contravenes the NDDC Act. They seek an injunction to prevent Ebie from assuming office or acting in any capacity as NDDC Chairman and to stop the commission from recognizing him in that role.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Mrs. Maimuna Lami-Ashiru, representing the President and Attorney-General, submitted a preliminary objection seeking dismissal of the plaintiffs’ suit on grounds of lack of jurisdiction, which was also supported by other defendants, including the National Assembly and NDDC. The plaintiffs, through their lawyer, Mr. Egberipou Barakemi, countered these objections, urging the court to dismiss them.
After considering the arguments from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik announced that the court’s ruling on the preliminary objections and the judgment on the main suit would be delivered on October 31.
