The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a legal challenge against President Bola Tinubu’s appointments to the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The court ruled that the plaintiffs did not have the legal standing to pursue the case.
The suit was filed by Hon. Ajoku Philip, Chief Jones Omereoha, and the Incorporated Trustees of Kingdom Human Rights International Foundation, who argued that the appointments of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director, Mr. Boma Iyaye as Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Victor Antai as Executive Director of Projects, and Ifedayo Abegunde as Executive Director of Corporate Services violated provisions of the NDDC Act, particularly Section 12(1).
The plaintiffs contended that the appointments ignored oil-producing communities in Imo, Cross River, and Edo States, and they called for a reversal of the appointments in favor of representatives from these regions.
The NDDC’s legal team opposed the lawsuit, asserting that the plaintiffs lacked the right to bring the action, and pointing out that the NDDC’s appointments adhered to the Act’s requirement for “adequate representation.”
Justice James Omotosho, in delivering the ruling, emphasized that the Attorney General of the relevant states was the appropriate party to initiate such legal actions.
The judge also noted that the plaintiffs had not provided sufficient evidence to support their claims regarding the commission’s appointments.
In August 2023, President Tinubu appointed a new board and management team for the NDDC, including Chiedu Ebie as Chairman from Delta State, along with Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Boma Iyaye, Victor Antai, and Ifedayo Abegunde as executive directors representing Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Ondo States, respectively. The appointments were made to take effect immediately.
