Court dismisses suit challenging Ebie’s appointment as NDDC chairman

Justice Joyce Abdulamalik of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court dismissed a suit challenging the appointment of Mr. Chiedu Ebie as Chairman of the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The court decision arrived at on Thursday was widely applauded by the Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC.

The youth group whose membership cuts across all ethnic nationalities that make up the Niger Delta region had earlier on, petitioned the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, urging the learned justices to dismiss the suit challenging Ebie appointment for lacks merit as the motive behind it is nothing but a deliberate attempt to disrupt the progress and development of the region.

The group had argued that Ebie, appointment is in line with extant laws as the (NDDC Act 2000, prescribes that the ideal candidate for Chairman of NDDC must be from an oil producing area.

Delivering judgement after listening to all the parties in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2024, and filed January 11, 2024, the court held that there was no illegality in the appointment of Chiedu Ebie as he he is ably qualified and that Mr. President and the National Assembly acted within the confines of the law.

The elated Board Chairman NDDC Chairman, through a statement described the ruling “as well-considered, intelligently delivered and courageously sound” while calling on Niger Deltans to close ranks with him towards holistically addressing the challenges of the region”, even as he commended the “harmonious relationship amongst Board members which is necessary for the growth of the region”.

Addressing journalists shortly after the verdict, the National Coordinator of NDYC, Engr. Jator Abido in the company of Comrades Solomon Adodo, Victor Udoh and Beke Apere hailed the judgement as a win for the good people of Niger Delta.

Abido Jator profoundly commended Justice Joyce Abdulamalik and all the learned justices of the High Court together with the entire legal team “for standing on the path of truth and fairness. He also commended the good people of the Niger Delta region for standing with the Chairman of NDDC Board in this trying time”.

“On his part, Comrade Solomon Adodo called the judgement “historic”, adding that, “today, we celebrate the triumph of unity, fairness and justice. It is our earnest appeal to stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to desist from distracting our leaders.”

In his brief remarks, Comrade Udoh Victor thanked Mr. President, the Senate President, the Attorney General of the Federal for standing up against the bullies that seek to hijack the people’s common good.