Court sacks Onochie’s 18 aides for being illegally appointed
The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has dismissed 18 aides appointed by Ms. Lauretta Onochie, chairwoman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
It was determined that she exceeded her authority by appointing them.
The court prohibited her from interfering with the duties of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the commission’s managing director.
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Dr. Mike Oberabor made the declaration in a lawsuit on behalf of himself and the Oberabor Oreme-Egbede families of the Olomoro community in Isoko South Local Government, Delta State.
The NDDC, Onochie, and Ogbuku constitute the first, second, and third defendants, respectively.
Following alleged violations of the NDDC Act 2000 by Onochie, the plaintiff sought an interpretation of the Act.
A copy of the judgement bearing the signature of the Court Registrar, Anigboro Enonuya, indicated that it was issued by Justice Okon Abang.
After reviewing the provisions of the NDDC Establishment Act of 2000 and the January 16 circular issued by the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Justice Abang ruled that Onochie will oversee and preside over board meetings on a part-time basis.
As chief executive and accounting officer of the NDDC, the judge ruled that the managing director is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the organisation.
He ruled that Onochie’s unilateral decision to appoint 18 aides in her office and the commission’s demand for an executive office are in violation of pertinent provisions of the NDDC Act and Federal Government circulars on the subject of the plaintiff’s claims.
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Justice Abang ruled, “The third defendant as Managing Director of the NDDC is the person statutorily empowered by the NDDC Act to perform and wield executive functions, powers, and day-to-day running and management of the commission to the exclusion of other members of the board of the NDDC, including the second defendant (the chairman).”
“All actions of the second defendant, including but not limited to the appointment of her personal aides, carried out in the exercise of executive functions and powers in the NDDC since her assumption of office on January 4, 2023, are beyond the scope of her authority and, as a result, null and void with no repercussions.
“The second defendant is prohibited from performing any executive functions in the NDDC.”
“The second defendant is further restrained from interfering with the third defendant’s (MD’s) executive functions, powers, day-to-day running, and management of the NDDC.”
The court also awarded the plaintiff costs of N100,000 against the board chairman.
The date of the judgement was May 9, 2023, but the certified copy was obtained yesterday.
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