The Federal High Court, Abuja has given an order stopping the Senate from further processing the confirmation of Ms Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as chairman and managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC pending the determination of a suit to nullify the process.

The court urged that all actions on the matter be suspended pending the determination of the suit filed by representatives of the Itsekiri Leaders of Though, ILOT, Chief Edward Ekpokpo Esq., Engr. Victor Wood and Mr. Edward Omagbemi (representing Omadino Unity Forum) on behalf of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.

The plaintiffs are challenging the nomination of the duo as Chairman and MD of the NDDC board, Monday, December 12.

The suit has President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; the Senate president, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th defendants.

The suit with originating summons number: FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022 among others, aims to among others restrain the National Assembly from screening and confirming the duo of Onochie and Ogbuku as substantive Chairman and MD of the NDDC board.

The suit filed by Ama Etuwewe SAN & Co., on behalf of the plaintiffs, avers that the specific provisions of the NDDC Act be followed in the process of confirming nominations into the two positions.

The suit avers that the Itsekiri ethnic nationality “being the highest oil producing community in Delta state,” should produce the NDDC board chairman and MD.

The presiding judge, Hon. Justice J. K. Omotosho, following the affidavits of claim by the plaintiffs ordered “that the reliefs relating to Interim injunction are hereby refused.

“That leave is hereby granted to the plaintiffs to serve the 5th and 6th defendants with the originating processes in this suit by substituted means to wit by advertising the processes in at least one national newspaper circulating within the jurisdiction of this to court and to deem same as proper service.

“That an order is hereby made that no party in this suit shall take any step or act or action that may make the outcome of the pending motion on notice for injunction Dated and filed 12th December 2022, nugatory.

“That any act or step or action taken in this order to make the outcome of the said motion on notice dated and filed 12th December, 2022 nugatory shall be a nullity”.

The court adjourned the matter to January 11, 2023 for further hearing.