The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled in favor of Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, dismissing a legal challenge against his appointment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the judgment on Thursday, rejecting a suit brought by oil-producing communities in Bayelsa and Delta states, which claimed President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Ebie was unlawful. Initially filed by three communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the lawsuit later expanded to include plaintiffs from Delta State, represented by various leaders.
The plaintiffs argued that Ebie, while from an oil-producing community, did not meet the qualifications set forth in the NDDC Act due to insufficient oil production from his area. They contended that his appointment breached the law, which stipulates that the NDDC Chairman should come from a community with significant oil production.
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In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik stated that the plaintiffs’ case was statute-barred, having been filed too late—nearly five months after Ebie’s appointment on August 29, 2023. The court noted that the law requires such actions to be initiated within three months and emphasized that the suit lacked proper legal foundation, as the plaintiffs failed to seek permission for a judicial review.
Consequently, the court dismissed the suit, labeling the issues raised as academic. Legal representatives for the defendants, including President Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation and NDDC’s counsel, , argued against the suit’s merit, prompting the court’s dismissal.
Ebie expressed satisfaction with the ruling, calling it a well-reasoned decision that reinforces confidence in the judiciary. He pledged to continue his efforts towards the development of the Niger Delta region and congratulated its residents on the favorable outcome.
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