Ebie Applauds Judiciary As Court Affirms His NDDC Appointment, Calls For Closing Of Ranks

The Chairman of Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, has described the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which on Thursday affirmed his appointment as well-considered, intelligently delivered and courageously sound.

The court, in the judgement delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, dismissed a legal action that oil producing communities in Bayelsa and Delta state filed against President Bola Tinubu over Ebie’s appointment.

The prayers sought by the plaintiffs had become a mere academic exercise since it had become statute barred, Justice Abdulmalik ruled.

She held that the plaintiffs failed to institute the action within three months after President Tinubu made the appointment, as prescribed by the law.
“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 press release issued by his Media Assistant, Jerome Utomi, Ebie noted that the judgment was a resounding watershed and underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a foresighted leader reputed for acting in total compliance with extant laws when it comes to appointments into public office.
Dedicating the legal victory to God Almighty and all Niger Deltans of goodwill, he extended a hand of fellowship, calling on all critical stakeholders to join hands with NDDC governing board and management to consolidate on the significant shift in the region’s infrastructural and socio-economic developmental trajectory.
According to him, “the judgement is remarkable and will further spur my dedication in leadership to make invaluable contributions to the development of the region and I congratulate all Niger Deltans on the verdict”.

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Ebie further stressed that the need for a holistic and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region has become overwhelmingly urgent and urged all stakeholders to shun divisiveness and rally round the present governing board and management in sustaining the unprecedented peace and harmony within the Commission which has become the hallmark of the present leadership since its inauguration about 11 months ago.

“Looking at the level of peace and harmony that has existed among members of the governing board and management, I am confident that we will continue to excel and reach new heights of excellent quality service delivery to the region and its people,” he stated.
“I call on all Niger Deltans to shun all forms of distractions through frivolous litigations that distract the Commission’s governing board and management and, in its place, imbibe the virtues of commitment and other positive attributes needed for fostering peace and unity, promoting innovation for impactful strides for advancing development of the region.