NDDC : Buhari Inaugurates Board As Ondo Joins Legal Fireworks To Stop  Inauguration

By Ayodele Oni

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday Inaugurated the Governing  Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, headed by his Aide, Lauretta Onochie. This is as

another group of major stakeholders in the Niger/Delta from Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State joined in the legal tussle to stop the inauguration of the Board

The inauguration was done on Buhari’s behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

The protesting Group asked a Federal High Court to stop President Muhammadu Buhari from inaugurating the Governing Board of the Commission, pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in Court.

Plaintiffs in the case, led by the former Clerk of the National Assembly and also Chairman Board of Trustees of Ugboland Development Congress, Asiwaju Oluyemi Ogunyomi, are Mr. Adebowale Karaki, Dr. Mann Ali, who are also trustee and Secretary of Ugboland Development Congress, respectively.

Other plaintiffs are Incorporated Trustees of Ilaje Advancement Forum, Mr. Idowu Mafimisebi, Mr. Olaniran Obele and Mr. Ige Asemudara, all lawyers representing Ilaje Lawyers Forum.

In the suit filed at the Abuja headquarters of the Federal High Court by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, the Plaintiffs are seeking an order of injunction to restrain the President from inaugurating, recognizing or dealing with Mr. Charles B. Ogunmola as the Executive Director, Projects of the Niger-Delta Development Commission.

They claim that he is from Owo in the Northern axis of Ondo State and not an indigene of the oil producing area of the State.

The other defendants in the suit are the National Assembly, the Senate, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Mr. Charles B. Ogunmola.

Specifically, the Plaintiffs are seekingl an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 1st – 4th Respondents whether by themselves, their servants or agents and/ or privies from taking any step or further step in treating and/ or dealing with or in any manner according the 5th Respondent the status of Executive Director of Projects of the Niger-Delta Development Commission, pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summons herein.

They also seek an order restraining the 5th Respondent from presenting himself out or in any manner parading himself or performing the functions and duties of Executive Director of Projects of the Niger-Delta Development Commission, pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summon.

In the main Originating Summons, the Plaintiffs are challenging the appointment of Mr. Charles B. Ogunmola in violation of section 12 (1) of the NDDC Act.

The section specifically states that the Managing Director and the Executive Directors of the NDDC must be indigenes of the oil producing areas.

In the affidavit in support of the case deposed to by Mr. Adebowale Karaki, it is stated that Mr. Charles Ogunmola has been rejected by the oil producing areas of Ondo State, by the legislators representing Ondo State in the National Assembly and also by the entire people of Ondo State through the Governor of the State who has openly supported his rejection.

The Plaintiffs stated further that being the first time an executive appointment of the NDDC is zoned to Ondo State, it will amount to grave injustice for the oil producing areas of the State to be shortchanged by denying them the opportunity as Mr. Charles Ogunmola is not suitably qualified to administer projects and feel the pains and anguish of the people directly affected by the impact of oil production and exploration.

No date has been assigned for the hearing of the suit, which has been served upon the President and the Attorney-General of the Federation