Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court Abuja has dismissed the suit filed by the oil-producing communities in Bayelsa and Delta State, seeking to nullify the alleged illegal appointment in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The communities had approached the court, seeking a nullification of President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Chiedu Ebie, as Chairman of the NDDC.
In their suit, the plaintiffs argued that Ebie was not qualified to head the Board of the NDDC since he was not from the oil-producing area with the highest quantum of oil production.
Delivering judgment Justice Joyce Abdulmalki held that given section 24(2) of the NDDC Act, the plaintiffs had no locus standi.
The section read, “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.”
It is on this premise the court dismissed the suit in its entirety.
