Court Gives Judgement on Suit Challenging Tinubu’s Appointments into NDDC
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to overturn the appointments made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The suit, which contested the appointments of key figures in the NDDC, was struck out by Justice James Omotosho, who determined that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to bring the case to court.
The plaintiffs in the case were Hon. Ajoku Philip, Chief Jones Omereoha, and the Incorporated Trustees of Kingdom Human Rights International Foundation.
Claiming to represent oil-producing communities in Imo State and other states, they argued that the appointments of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director, and Mr. Boma Iyaye, Mr. Victor Antai, and Ifedayo Abegunde as Executive Directors, violated Section 12(1) of the NDDC Act.
The plaintiffs further claimed that the law required these positions to be filled by individuals from specific oil-producing communities, including those in Imo, Cross River, and Edo States.
They called on the court to compel President Tinubu to rescind the appointments and ensure compliance with Sections 4 and 12(1) of the NDDC Act. These sections, they asserted, mandate equitable representation and define the selection process for the Commission’s leadership.
The NDDC’s legal team countered the claims, arguing that the plaintiffs had no locus standi to challenge the appointments. They pointed out that Section 12(1) of the NDDC Act ensures “adequate representation,” which they maintained had been respected in the appointments.
Justice Omotosho, in his ruling, agreed with the defense. He stated that the Attorney General of the state or a legal representative authorized by the state is the appropriate party to bring such a case. The plaintiffs, he said, had failed to provide sufficient evidence to back their claims, including proof of past appointments that allegedly excluded certain communities.
The controversy stems from President Tinubu’s announcement in August 2023, when he appointed a new NDDC Board and Management team.
Tinubu appointed Mr. Chiedu Ebie as Chairman from Delta State, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer from Bayelsa State, Mr. Boma Iyaye as Executive Director of Finance and Administration from Rivers State, Mr. Victor Antai as Executive Director of Projects from Akwa Ibom State, and Ifedayo Abegunde as Executive Director of Corporate Services from Ondo State.
Other members appointed to the team include Senator Dimaro Denyanbofa as State Representative for Bayelsa State and Mr. Abasi Ndikan Nkono as State Representative for Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya as State Representative for Delta State, Chief Tony Okocha as State Representative for Rivers State, Hon. Patrick Aisowieren as State Representative for Edo State, Mr. Kyrian Uchegbu as State Representative for Imo State, Victor Kolade Akinjo as State Representative for Ondo State, Chief Dimgba Eruba as State Representative for Abia State, and Mr. Asu Oku Okang as State Representative for Cross River State.
The zonal representatives include Hon. Nick Wende for the North Central Zone, Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak for the North East Zone, and Senator Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir for the North West Zone.
The appointments were announced to take immediate effect.
