Federal High Court Rejects Suit To Remove NDDC Chairman Chinedu Ebie

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed a suit filed by oil-producing communities in Bayelsa and Delta states, seeking to remove Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), from his position. The plaintiffs challenged President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Ebie, claiming it was illegal under the NDDC Act.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who delivered the judgment, stated that the plaintiffs filed the case outside the legally allowed timeframe. Ebie was appointed on August 29, 2023, while the lawsuit was initiated on January 11, 2024—beyond the three-month limit set by law.

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In addition, the court held that the suit was improperly filed, as the plaintiffs did not seek permission for a judicial review of the President’s action. Without proper initiation, the court lacked jurisdiction to rule on the matter, rendering the plaintiffs’ grievances academic.

The judgment was welcomed by Ebie, who said it reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to justice and strengthened his resolve to serve the Niger Delta region.