Date Set For Court Ruling On NDDC Chairman Ebie’s Controversial Appointment

Date Set For Court Ruling On NDDC Chairman Ebie’s Controversial Appointment....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 31 for both a ruling and judgment in a lawsuit seeking to remove Mr. Chiedu Ebie from his position as Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over allegations of wrongful appointment…….CONTINUE READING

The date was set on Tuesday, following the submission of written addresses from the parties involved in the case. The lawsuit was initiated by communities in the Niger Delta, who claim that President Bola Tinubu violated the NDDC Act by appointing Ebie.

The plaintiffs, hailing from oil-producing communities in Bayelsa and Delta States, argued that Ebie is not qualified for the role of Board Chairman since he does not come from the area with the highest oil production. Key plaintiffs in the case include Chief Goodnews Gereghewei, Chief Eddy Brayei, and Mr. Jonah Engineyouwei, who filed the suit on behalf of their communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

President Tinubu, the Senate President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the NDDC, and Ebie are named as respondents in the case. Additionally, representatives from Gbaramatu Kingdom, Itsekiri oil and gas-producing communities, and Egbema Kingdom have sought to join the suit as plaintiffs.

During the proceedings, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Mr. Egberipou Sotonye Barakemi, urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection raised by President Tinubu and the AGF, contending that the respondents’ case lacked merit. Conversely, legal representatives for President Tinubu, the AGF, and Ebie argued for the dismissal of the suit due to a lack of jurisdiction.

After hearing from all parties, Justice Abdulmalik announced that the court would deliver its ruling on the preliminary objections and judgment in the main suit on October 31.

The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2024 and filed on January 11, 2024, contends that both President Tinubu and the National Assembly violated the NDDC Act by screening and appointing Ebie as Board Chairman. The plaintiffs argue that, despite Ebie being from an oil-producing state, he is not qualified for the position due to his community’s lower oil production levels.

The affidavit submitted in support of the suit claims that Ebie’s appointment was made in error and contravenes legal provisions. The plaintiffs have requested the court to determine Ebie’s qualifications for the chairmanship, whether his appointment violates the NDDC Act, and to ultimately nullify the appointment. They also seek injunctions to prevent Ebie from assuming office and to restrict the NDDC from recognizing him as its chairman.