‘Why Akpabio Recommended NDDC’s Boss, Pondei’s Sack’ Amid Lawsuit Questioning Buhari’s Power To Appoint IMC

Facts have emerged on why President Muhammadu Buhari decided to sack Prof Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei as interim Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) amidst a lawsuit questioning his powers to appoint the IMC.

BIGPENNGR.COM understands the sack followed a recommendation from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.

Akpabio, is said to have recommended sack of Pondei who was replaced by Mr Effiong Okon Akwa, the Ag. Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Commission as interim administrator of the agency.

Pondei-led NDDC’s IMC which is faced with multiple corruption cases and lawsuit, was recently restrained by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Although the NDDC’s management had questioned the order of the court which was reported to have restrained Pondei and others from functioning, Akpabio, who is also a party to the case had use same to ask for Pondei’s sack, sources said.

Recalls that the Federal High Court had granted an order for judicial review for an order of mandamus compelling the Independent Corrupt Practice and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate the Minister of the Niger Delta, Chief Godswill Akpabio and members of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over allegations of N3 billion contract fraud.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed in his ruling also granted leave to the applicant to apply for judicial review of the power of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or the Minister of the Niger Delta to appoint Prof Pondei, Dr Ojougboh and others in an interim capacity as members of the NDDC Board.

By this order of the Court, the members of the NDDC Board are restrained from performing the functions of the Board pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice which is fixed for December 8.

The plaintiff had also urged that the most senior civil servant or administrator in the Commission be appointed while praying that the suspended officers be stopped from accessing the Commission’s offices and files as they could tamper with evidence which could be used by the ICPC in its probe.

Parties joined in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Honourable Minister of the Niger Delta, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Dr Joi Nunieh, Mrs Caroline Nagbo, Cecilia Bukola Akintomide and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission.

Sources privy to the development revealed that Akpabio had observed the implication of the continuous stay of the Pondei-led IMC to the Attorney General of the federation, Abubakar Malami who in turn advised President Buhari to terminate their appointment.

The source said that the Minister reportedly made recommendation for appointment to the President, stating the need to appoint a new MD to complete the ongoing forensic audit of the commission.

BIGPENNGR.COM understands the presidency is doing everything possible to avoid embarrassing situation for President Buhari, particularly when one of the suit against Pondei-led IMC is questioning the power of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or the Minister of the Niger Delta to appoint Prof Pondei, Dr Ojougboh and others in an interim capacity as members of the NDDC Board.

It could be recalled that President Buhari had in May, this year extended the tenure of the Professor Keme Pondei-led Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from May 1 to December 31, 2020.

This medium had reported that the extension was to cover the period of the forensic audit of the NDDC, earlier approved by the Federal Executive Council, under the chairmanship of the President, a terse statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina had said.

But announcing the new appointment, Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Femi Adesina, hinged his decision to sack Pondei early before the December 31 deadline, on the plethora of litigations which had characterised the Pondei-led IMC of NDDC.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of an interim administrator to oversee the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

“He is Mr Effiong Okon Akwa, the Ag. Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Commission, who is to assume headship till completion of the forensic audit.

“Mr Akwa is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“The development became necessary as a result of plethora of litigation and a restraining order issued recently against the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC by a Federal High Court in Abuja”, the statement reads.