Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by oil-producing communities in Bayelsa and Delta States that sought to nullify what they claimed was an unlawful appointment in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The communities petitioned the court to invalidate President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Chiedu Ebie as Chairman of the NDDC.
They argued that Ebie was unqualified for the position, contending that he did not represent the oil-producing area with the highest level of oil production, as they believed was required.
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In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik cited Section 24(2) of the NDDC Act, concluding that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to bring the suit.
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.”
On this basis, the court dismissed the suit in full.
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