By Peter Bahago, Abuja
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Nigeria’s capital has granted an order restraining Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, Mr Cairo Ojougboh, Dr Joi Nunieh and others from performing the functions of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, on Wednesday gave the ruling on an ex parte application by a Civil Society Organisation Forum for Accountability and Good Governance seeking the court stop them from parading themselves as Board members of the Commission.
Justice Mohammed also granted leave to the Applicant to apply for judicial review for an Order of Mandamus compelling the ICPC, as the 9th Defendant in the Suit to investigate the Minister of Niger Delta, Mr. Godswill Akpabio and five others as members of the Board over allegations of N3 Billion contract fraud.
The court also granted leave to the applicant to apply for judicial review of the power of the President or the Minister of the Niger Delta to appoint Prof. Pondei, Dr. Ojougboh and others in an interim capacity as members of the NDDC Board.
“By this order of the Court, the members of the NDDC Board are restrained from performing the functions of the Board pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice which is fixed for Dec. 8, 2020,” he said.
The Plaintiff in the suit said it has notified President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation, the SGF, the DSS, the EFCC and ICPC of the interim vacancy in the Commission.
Parties in the Suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Senate, Minister of the Niger Delta, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei and Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.
Others are Dr. Joi Nunieh, Mrs. Caroline Nagbo, Cecilia Bukola Akintomide and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission.
Nnenna.O
