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Jubilation in Delta Host Communities as Court Prepares to Decide Fate of NDDC Chairman Ebie on October 31
Jubilation in Delta Host Communities as Court Prepares to Decide Fate of NDDC Chairman Ebie on October 31
Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of NDDC.
By Admin
Activist Mulade Sheriff insists Chairman must hail from highest oil-producing areas of Delta State
Warri, Delta State – Oil-producing communities in Delta State are in high spirits as the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, prepares to rule on a suit challenging the appointment of Mr. Chiedu Ebie as the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The court is set to deliver both ruling and judgment on October 31, 2024, after parties in the suit submitted their written arguments.
The lawsuit, filed by communities in Bayelsa and Delta States, accuses President Bola Tinubu of breaching the NDDC Act by appointing Ebie, who they argue does not represent the area with the highest oil production in Delta State. The plaintiffs, led by Chief Goodnews Gereghewei, Chief Eddy Brayei, and Mr. Jonah Engineyouwei from Bayelsa’s Ekeremor Local Government Area, contend that Ebie’s appointment violates the commission’s laws. They are asking the court to annul his appointment.
The defendants in the case include President Tinubu, the Senate President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the NDDC, and Mr. Ebie. Representatives of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Itsekiri Oil and Gas Communities, and Egbema Kingdom from Delta State have also requested to join the lawsuit. These communities argue that the NDDC chairmanship should be given to someone from either the Itsekiri or Ijaw communities, which produce the most oil.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the plaintiffs’ legal counsel, Mr. Egberipou Sotonye Barakemi, urged the court to dismiss objections raised by President Tinubu and the Attorney-General and to rule against the respondents for lack of merit. On the other side, counsel for the President, the National Assembly, the NDDC, and Ebie called for the suit to be thrown out for lack of jurisdiction.
Justice Abdulmalik, after hearing both sides, announced the ruling and judgment would be delivered on October 31, 2024.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2024, was originally filed in January 2024. The plaintiffs claim that the appointments of Ebie by both President Tinubu and the National Assembly contravened the NDDC Act.
Prominent Niger Delta activist, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has also spoken out, insisting that Ebie is not qualified to serve as the NDDC Chairman. While acknowledging that Ebie hails from an oil-producing state, Sheriff asserts that his community does not produce the highest volume of oil, disqualifying him under the NDDC Act. He called for Ebie’s immediate replacement with someone from a core oil-producing community, stressing the importance of inclusiveness and fairness.
Sheriff expressed concern that Ebie’s appointment was politically motivated and urged the National Assembly to strictly follow the provisions of the law for the benefit of the Niger Delta’s host communities. He criticized the confirmation of Ebie’s appointment by the Senate, calling it an error that undermines the environmental and economic well-being of the region.
The plaintiffs have asked the court to determine if Ebie, coming from a community with minimal oil production, is eligible for the role and whether his appointment was unlawful. They seek to have his appointment nullified and request an injunction preventing him from assuming office as NDDC Chairman.
The Niger Delta communities now await the court’s ruling with anticipation, as the case could set a precedent for future appointments to the NDDC board.
News
Great Loss As Family Announces The Painful Passing Iduwini-borne Billionaire Prince, Presley Gere Iyalahga
By: Miracle Palakia
Odimodi, Delta State – The Iyalahga and Diepregha families, Odimodi, Aghoro, and the entire Iduwini Kingdom in Delta and Bayelsa States, breaks silence on the painful loss of their son, Prince Presley Isele Gere Iyalahga, Billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Preslyn Group of Companies, who passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the age of 48.
Prince Presley was an illustrious son of two distinguished families: His Royal Majesty Gere J. Iyalagha, (Igbedikuru-II), the late Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, and the late Regent of Iduwini Kingdom (Delta & Bayelsa States), High Chief Diepregha Akpotelemor of Gberigberi-Idumu Quarters, Aghoro-I Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The former President of the Iduwini National Youth Council for Peace and Development was a respected businessman and community leader, who’s untimely demise has thrown his family, friends, associates, community, and Kingdom into deep shock and sorrow. He’s survived by his beloved wife, Princess Preye Presley Iyalagha, and six children.
The families made known the development to newsmen on Saturday, August 16th, in a statement jointly signed by Mr. Oroupade Oweibe and George Diepregha for the families and his son, Prince Peremobowei Presley Iyalagha, for the children.
According to the statement, funeral rites will take place on Friday, August 29th, 2025. At 10 a.m., the body will depart Warri via Millar Jetty to his compound in Odimodi for a brief Funeral Service, lying in state, interment.
IduwiniVoice can report that Prince Presley Iyalagha’s passing marks not only the loss of a vibrant Royal entrepreneur but that of a leader in Iduwini Kingdom and Ijaw nation. His memory remains deeply cherished by the lives he touched and all who knew him.
By: Divine Perezide
Congratulatory messages continue to pour in as Warri-borne business tycoon, and Delta Ijaw APC leader, Madam Beauty Warezuwowei makes the list of members recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into the reconstituted Governing Council and Board of Trustees of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYREP). Reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to tackling environmental degradation in oil-producing regions, the newly appointed board members include representatives from the Niger Delta, Ogoni Communities, NGOs, and oil-producing states, with the Minister of Environment serving as Chairman of the council.
Read the statement announcing the appointment below:
“STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
“PRESIDENT TINUBU ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR HYREP
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYREP), with the Minister of Environment serving as Chairman of the Council.
“The other members are Loanyie Barituka Victor, who represents the Non-governmental Organisations focused on the environment, Bright Onyebuchi Jacob, and Henry Obiabure, who represent the Niger Delta communities.
“Professor Barinedum Michael Nwibere and Barrister Baride Abdul Gwezia are the representatives of the Ogoni Community on the new Council.
“The nine oil-producing states have two representatives on the Council: Gideon Onyebuwa Melfor and Dr Ibikunle Omotehinse.
“There are four alternative members of the Council, representing Ogoniland and the Niger Delta: Rev. Canon Dr Abraham Olungwe, who was reappointed and Engr. Maeba Power Ekpobari are the alternate members of the Council representing Ogoniland. Joseph Akedesuo and Beauty Warejuowei represent the Niger Delta.
“President Tinubu also reconstituted the HYREP Board of Trustees, with Emmanuel Nwiika Deeyah reappointed chairman.
“Fred Mbombo Igwe and Dr. Fred Barivule Kpakol will represent Ogoni communities and stakeholders on the board. Mrs Dorcas Amos represents the other Niger Delta communities, while Chief Jide Damazio, who was reappointed, represents the NGOs dealing with environmental issues.
“Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
“August 11, 2025”
The appointment of Warejuwowei into the board of the HYREP, an office marking the renewed poise at restoring the badly polluted environments in the Niger Delta and advancin Ogoniland’s remediation efforts, has been applauded by people from across the region, adding that she will surely deliver meaningful contributions towards the successes of the agency and the federal government.
By: Favour Bibaikefie
Commendations pour in from across Africa as renowned Delta State-born peace and development advocate, Comrade (Chief) Mulade Sheriff, has succefully defended his researh for Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in International Relations at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.
A United Nations Peace Ambassador, environmentalist, human rights activist, sports enthusiast, entrepreneur, educational promoter, and social leader, Dr. Mulade is the National Coordinator of the foremost civil rights organisation, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), also known as the Africa 4 Peace Centre.
This remarkable academic feat once again demonstrates his unwavering zeal for intellectual excellence, further cementing his reputation as a visionary leader committed to peace, justice, and development, through the instrumentality of the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge.
As he takes this leap from local, state, and national engagements to a more pronounced presence on the international stage, Nigerians can look forward to the far-reaching impact of his knowledge, which promises to translate into global opportunities for the nation and beyond.