Court dismisses lawsuit challenging Tinubu’s NDDC appointments

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to invalidate the appointments made by President Bola Tinubu for the management team of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The court ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to bring the case forward.

The lawsuit was filed by Hon. Ajoku Philip, Chief Jones Omereoha, and the Incorporated Trustees of Kingdom Human Rights International Foundation, who claimed to represent oil-producing communities in Imo State and other regions.

They 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 Section 12(1) of the NDDC Act. The plaintiffs further demanded that the President rescind these appointments and replace them with nominees from oil-producing communities in Imo, Cross River, and Edo States, alleging that these areas had been excluded from key positions.

In response, the legal team representing the NDDC contended that the plaintiffs had no legal right to file the lawsuit, emphasizing that Section 12(1) of the NDDC Act ensures “adequate representation,” which had been adhered to in the appointments.

Justice James Omotosho, delivering the judgment, concluded that only the Attorney General of the relevant states had the authority to initiate such a case.

He also pointed out that the plaintiffs had failed to provide sufficient evidence regarding the appointments made within the NDDC.

In August 2023, President Tinubu appointed a new board and management team for the NDDC. This included the appointment of Chiedu Ebie as Chairman from Delta State, along with Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Boma Iyaye, Victor Antai, and Ifedayo Abegunde in key executive roles from Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Ondo States, respectively. The new appointments, which also included representatives from other states and regions, were announced to take effect immediately.