NDDC Chairmanship: Court Upholds Chiedu Ebie’s Appointment

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Chiedu Ebie‘s appointment as Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The plaintiffs, oil-producing communities in Bayelsa and Delta states, had argued that Ebie wasn’t qualified due to not being from the area with the highest oil production.

They prayed the court to nullify the alleged ‘illegal appointment’ as Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Bola Tinubu.

However, delivering judgment, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi to prosecute the case, citing Section 24(2) of the NDDC Act.

According to the section, “Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law or enactment, no suit shall lie against any member of the Board, the Managing Director, or any other officer or employee of the Commission for any act done in pursuance or execution of this Act or any other law or enactment, or of any public duty or authority or in respect of any alleged neglect or default in the execution of this Act or such law or enactment, duty or authority, shall lie or be instituted in any court.”

The court following the aforementioned section, dismissed the suit in its entirety.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, described the ruling as well-considered, intelligently delivered and courageously sound.

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By the ruling, the judiciary has once again proved that justice is never lacking in the Temple of Justice,” he said and expressed delight that the ruling has finally laid to rest every ambiguity, innuendo, half-truth and misrepresentation of facts surrounding the provisions of NDDC Act on appointments.

In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Jerome Utomi, Ebie noted that the judgment was a resounding watershed and underscored President Bola Tinubu as a foresighted leader reputed for acting in total compliance with extant laws when it comes to appointments into public office.

Dedicating the legal victory to God Almighty and all Niger Deltans of goodwill, he extended a hand of fellowship, calling on all critical stakeholders to join hands with NDDC governing board and management to consolidate the significant shift in the region’s infrastructural and socio-economic developmental trajectory.

He said, “The judgement is remarkable and will further spur my dedication in leadership to make invaluable contributions to the development of the region and I congratulate all Niger Deltans on the verdict.”

Ebie further stressed that the need for a holistic and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region has become overwhelmingly urgent and urged all stakeholders to shun divisiveness and rally round the present governing board and management in sustaining the unprecedented peace and harmony within the Commission which has become the hallmark of the present leadership since its inauguration about 11 months ago.

“Looking at the level of peace and harmony that has existed among members of the governing board and management, I am confident that we will continue to excel and reach new heights of excellent quality service delivery to the region and its people,” he stated.

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“I call on all Niger Deltans to shun all forms of distractions through frivolous litigation that distract the Commission’s governing board and management and, in its place, imbibe the virtues of commitment and other positive attributes needed for fostering peace and unity, promoting innovation for impactful strides for advancing development of the region.”