Court Sets Date To Rule On NDDC Chairman Chiedu Ebie’s Alleged Wrongful Appointment

Court Sets Date To Rule On NDDC Chairman Chiedu Ebie’s Alleged Wrongful Appointment....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Federal High Court in Abuja has set October 31 as the date to deliver its judgment on a lawsuit challenging the appointment of Chiedu Ebie as Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The case seeks to remove Ebie from his position, alleging his appointment was improper……CONTINUE READING 

According to Naija News, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik scheduled the judgment date after receiving written submissions from both parties, outlining their arguments for and against the claims.

The lawsuit was initiated by communities from the Niger Delta region, accusing President Bola Tinubu of violating the NDDC Act in appointing Ebie. The plaintiffs, representing communities in Bayelsa and Delta States, argued that Ebie is not qualified for the chairmanship because he does not come from “the oil-producing area with the highest quantum of oil production.”

Chief Goodnews Gereghewei, Chief Eddy Brayei, and Mr. Jonah Engineyouwei, representing the communities of Bisangbene, Agge, and Amatu1 in Bayelsa’s Ekeremor Local Government Area, filed the lawsuit. The respondents include President Tinubu, the Senate President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the NDDC, and Ebie.

Additional plaintiffs, representing other oil-producing communities in Delta State, have also sought to join the case. During the court session, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Mr. Egberipou Sotonye Barakemi, urged the court to reject the objections raised by the President and Attorney-General, calling for the case to proceed.

Lawyers representing President Tinubu, the Attorney-General, the NDDC, and Ebie requested the court dismiss the case due to lack of jurisdiction. After hearing all parties, Justice Abdulmalik announced that the court would rule on both the objections and the main case on October 31.

The plaintiffs, in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2024, claim that President Tinubu and the National Assembly violated the NDDC Act by appointing and confirming Ebie. They argue that while Ebie is from an oil-producing state, he is not from the region with the highest oil production, making him ineligible for the position.

In their affidavit, the plaintiffs assert that Ebie’s appointment was a mistake and violated the law. They are asking the court to declare his appointment null and void, issue an injunction preventing Ebie from assuming the role, and bar the NDDC from recognizing him as chairman.