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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.
By Favour Bibaikefie
LAGOS — Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have uncovered a suspected baby factory in Badagry area of Lagos State, rescuing 28 persons during a late-night raid.
Authorities said those rescued included 18 adults and 10 children. Among the adults were 17 pregnant women, while one case involving a suspected miscarriage was also recorded. Two persons were arrested in connection with the operation.
The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, disclosed that the raid followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to him, the facility, located in Okuju-Ilado, Badagry, was made up of several apartments and had been monitored for about three weeks before security operatives moved in around midnight on Wednesday.
Keshinro alleged that the operators targeted vulnerable pregnant women by offering them financial inducements. He further claimed that the women were made to sign agreements and were subsequently restricted from leaving the premises freely.
Investigators also suspect that the syndicate used a fake social media profile to attract unsuspecting victims before moving discussions to private channels.
However, one of the arrested suspects denied wrongdoing, insisting that the women came willingly and that no unlawful activity took place.
A woman rescued from the premises reportedly told officials that she entered the facility voluntarily after being abandoned by the man responsible for her pregnancy.
Some community leaders in the area said residents had observed unusual movements around the compound but did not know the true nature of activities there until the security operation was carried out.
The NSCDC said both suspects and rescued victims would be transferred to the appropriate anti-human trafficking agency for further investigation and necessary action.
By Tama Peretengboro
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stirred public discussion after making a remark in which he said he “took over leadership from myself” and described the late Muhammadu Buhari as being inseparable from his own political identity.
The statement, made during a public appearance captured in a viral video, quickly generated widespread reactions across political and social circles, with many Nigerians debating the meaning and context of the President’s comments.
Observers said the remarks appeared to underscore Tinubu’s close political association with Buhari and the continuity of governance between both administrations. Others interpreted the comments as an attempt to highlight the shared vision and alliance that existed between the two leaders during Buhari’s tenure.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has repeatedly acknowledged Buhari’s role in the formation and electoral success of the All Progressives Congress, as well as the political transition that brought the ruling party to power.
The resurfaced clip has since fueled fresh commentary online, with supporters defending the statement as symbolic and critics questioning its phrasing.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued any formal clarification regarding the viral video.
See video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXOOaYSCG23/?igsh=MTF6MzJlOWptanJlYQ==
By Divine Perezide
BURUTU — The member representing Burutu State Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, has officially announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2027 polls.
Hon. Alapala made the declaration while addressing executives of the All Progressives Congress in Burutu Local Government Area, shortly after the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable and the party’s schedule for the May 16 State Houses of Assembly primaries.
During the meeting, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their support during the 2023 general elections, particularly commending members in Burutu LGA for their steadfastness throughout the legal disputes that followed the polls.
He recalled that after his initial victory was overturned by the Court of Appeal, party loyalists remained committed until he eventually emerged victorious in the rerun election.
Speaking on his stewardship, Alapala said his administration had recorded notable progress despite the challenges that marked the early period of his tenure. He noted that the political developments in Delta State, including the alignment of major political blocs and the emergence of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as leader of the APC in the state, had created a more favourable atmosphere for governance.
The legislator stated that several constituency projects are ongoing across the six wards of Burutu North, stressing that grassroots development remains central to his agenda.
On human capital development, he disclosed that more than 50 constituents are currently serving in various appointments under his office, with beneficiaries drawn from all six wards to promote fairness and inclusion.
He further revealed that over 20 students from the constituency have benefited from scholarship opportunities facilitated through his office, while more than 790 students are receiving regular stipends under the Alapala Ebitonmo Students’ Support Scheme.
According to him, the initiative was introduced to reduce financial hardship among students and encourage academic success.
Hon. Alapala also said he had assisted several indigenes of Burutu North in securing empowerment opportunities as well as pensionable employment.
Reaffirming his commitment to public service, the lawmaker assured party stakeholders that if re-elected, he would build on the achievements already recorded and deliver greater democratic dividends to the people.
He also pledged continued loyalty to the APC and its guiding principles.