The Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State presided by Hon. Justice Isah Dashen has granted an Exparte Order against the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation restraining the federal government from placing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under any Ministry.
The Court further granted a perpetual Order against the federal government from further constituting an Interim Sole Administratorship Board to run the Affairs of the NDDC.
In an action brought by The Wailing Women of the Niger Delta represented by its coordinator Odighonin Adienbo and The Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace Initiative TIFPI led by Livingstone Wechie along with nine others represented by their Counsel Prof. Festus Emiri SAN, the groups are among other issues, challenging the legality of the appointment of a Sole Administrator/Interim Management Committee for the NDDC which they claim is in defiance of the NDDC Act asking the Court to invalidate same. It is also asking the Court to order the federal government to publish the Forensic Audit report on the NDDC which was submitted sometime in 2021 as well as a declaration that the NDDC should be allowed to run independently without being directly placed under any Ministry.
The groups are seeking for a full compliance with the Act establishing the Commission.
The matter has been slated for April 5, 2022 for hearing.
