Following the appointment of Ebie as the chairman of NDDC, some aggrieved Niger Deltans, dragged President Bola Tinubu, the Senate President, Attorney-General of the Federation, NDDC, and Ebie as 1st to 5th respondents respectively to court for allegedly violating the NDDC Act.
According to the plaintiffs who hail from Bayelsa and Delta State communities, claimed that Ebie is not qualified to occupy the seat of Board Chairman because he is not from the oil-producing area with the highest quantum of oil production.
The plaintiffs; Chief Goodnews Gereghewei, Eddy Brayei, and Mr Jonah Engineyouwei sued the defendants on behalf of themselves and the Bisangbene, Agge, and Amatu1 communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Meanwhile, Jerry Mulade-Aroh representing Gbaramatu Kingdom, Jolomi Itsekure, representing Itsekiri Oil and Gas producing communities, and Hon Friday Ugedi, representing Egbema Kingdom all in Delta also sought to be joined as plaintiffs in the suit.
In the originating summon marked filed January 11, 2024, the plaintiffs argued that both President Tinubu and the National Assembly contravened the NDDC Act by screening and appointing Ebie Chiedu as NDDC Board Chairman.
In an affidavit deposed in support of the suit, the plaintiffs averred that Ebie’s appointment was done in error and is against the clear provisions of the law. Up.
They submitted that the screening and confirmation of the 5th defendant (Ebie) by the Nigerian Senate was also done in error and was against the clear provisions of the law.
At the previous proceeding, the plaintiffs through their lawyer, B. B. Abalaba, asked the court to determine whether Ebie who is from a community with minimal oil production is qualified to be the chairman of the 4th defendant.
Other issues raised for determination are: Whether the appointment of the 5th defendant by the 1st defendant as the chairman of the 4th defendant is not in contravention of the NDDC Act.