By Victoria Emieso

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.

The Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, has described the ruling as well-considered, intelligently delivered and courageously sound.

By the ruling, the judiciary has once again proved that justice is never lacking in the Temple of Justice,” he said and expressed delight that the ruling has finally laid to rest every ambiguity, innuendo, half-truth and misrepresentation of facts surrounding the provisions of NDDC Act on appointments.

In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Jerome Utomi, Ebie noted that the judgment was a resounding watershed and underscored President Bola Tinubu as a foresighted leader reputed for acting in total compliance with extant laws when it comes to appointments into public office.