Some communities in Delta State have indicated interest to join in a suit seeking the removal of Mr Chiedu Ebie as Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Recall that some communities in Bayelsa State had asked a Federal High Court in Abuja, to nullify the appointment of Mr Chiedu Ebie as NDDC boss, on the grounds that he was wrongly appointed by President Bola Tinubu.
According to the plaintiffs, Ebie was not qualified to occupy the seat of Board Chairman haven not come from, “the oil producing area with the highest
quantum of oil production”.
The plaintiffs, Chief Goodnews Gereghewei, Chief Eddy Brayei and Mr Jonah Engineyouwei, who sued on behalf of themselves and Bisangbene, Agge and Amatu1 communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, had dragged President Tinubu, Senate President, Attorney-General of the Federation, NDDC and Ebie as 1st to 5th respondents respectively to court over the appointment of the NDDC board chairman.
At the last sitting earlier in the month, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed March 12, for hearing, after confirming service of the suit on all respondents.
However, some oil producing communities in the Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, have indicated that they will soon commence formal process to be joined as an interested party in the suit.
In a statement over the weekend, the communities said the move is to register their displeasure over the way and manner in which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Mr. Chiedu Ebie as the NDDC Board Chairman.
Mr Jerry Mulade-Aroh, who spoke on behalf of Host Communities after a meeting in Warri, Delta State said, “we were extremely happy to find out that our neighbouring Oil producing communities in Bayelsa State has challenged the faulty process leading to the appointment of Mr. Chiedu Ebie as the Board Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Federal High Court at Abuja.
“Mr. Chiedu Ebie hails from Agbor-Alidinma Community in Ika South Local Government area, Delta State. It is imperative to state that Mr Chiedu, community, has no functional and producing oil wells that qualified him to be appointed as Chairman in line with the NDDC act 2000.
“We from the Delta Oil producing communities are interested parties in this matter, and we are set to file for joinder in that suit. And we shall always organize a protest to that effect in Abuja to draw the attention of Mr President and the general public particularly Niger Delta.
Also speaking, Mr Jolomi Itsekure, who spoke on behalf of Itsekiri Oil and Gas producing communities in the State, described the appointment as an injustice, oppression, and a wrong precedent that should not be allowed to stand.
“Our rights and opportunities can not be used as political compensation. Therefore, we call on Mr. President to withdraw his appointment and follow due process.
“Furthermore, we have qualified persons from the core Oil Producing communities who have the requisite qualification in line with the guidelines set out in the NDDC Act 2000 for such an executive appointment.
Hon Friday Ugedi, a youth leaders from Egbema Kingdom in Warri North LGA, asserted that “This are some of the major reasons and causes of unrest in the region by imposing unqualified persons from non oil and gas producing areas to govern us simply because we don’t have godfathers”, he added.
In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2024, dated and filed January 11, 2024, the plaintiffs are claiming that both President Tinubu and the National Assembly contravened the NDDC Act by screening and appointing Ebie Chiedu as NDDC Board Chairman.
They submitted that although the 5th defendant is from an oil producing State ” thus by the provisions of the law he is unqualified for
appointment as the chairman of the 4th defendant’s board because his not from the highest oil producing areas.
In the affidavit deposed to in support of the suit, the plaintiffs averred that Ebie’s appointment “was done in error and is against the clear provisions of the law.
“That the screening and confirmation of the 5th defendant by the Nigerian Senate was also done in error and was against the clear provisions of the law.
“That as a result of the facts above and in particular the facts in paragraphs 2 – 11, the appointment of the 5th defendant is null, void and of no effect”.
The plaintiffs through their lawyer, B. B. Abalaba, are therefore asking the court to determine whether the 5th defendant who is from a community with minimal oil production is qualifed to be the chairman of the 4th defendant (Niger Delta Development
Commission)?
Other issues raised for determination are: Whether the appointment of the 5th defendant by the 1st defendant as the chairman of the 4th defendant is not in contravention of the NDDC Act?
“Whether the appointment of the 5th defendant by the 1st defendant as the chairman of the 4th defendant is not Illegal null and void?
They therefore prayed the court for an order “setting aside the appointment of the 5th defendant as the chairman of the
4th defendant by the 1s defendant.
“An order of injunction restraining the 5th defendant from assuming office or in any way acting as the chairman of the 4th defendant.
“An order of injunction restraining the 4th defendant from recognizing the 5th
defendant as its chairman or allowing him access into its premises for the purpose of beginning or continuing work as its chairman.
“An order of injunction restraining the 5th defendant from holding himself out as the chairman of the 4th defendant”.