Court sacks Onochie’s 18 aides, restrains her from exercising executive functions
Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has sacked 18 aides appointed by the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Lauretta Onochie.
The judgment was delivered on May 9th, but the certified true copy, which was obtained, yesterday, was signed by the Court Registrar, Anigboro Enonuya.
The court held that Onochie crossed the line by appointing the aides, and barred her from interfering with functions of the commission’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
Dr. Mike Oberabor, filed the suit for himself and on behalf of the Oberabor Oreme-Egbede families of the Olomoro Community of Isoko South Council, while the NDDC, Onochie and Ogbuku are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants.
The judge held that Onochie’s decision to appoint 18 aides and the request for an executive office in the commission is an infringement of relevant provisions of the NDDC Act, as well as circulars released by the Federal Government on the subject matter of the plaintiff’s claims.
Meanwhile, having considered the provisions of NDDC Establishment Act 2000 and the circular issued by office of the Accountant General of the Federation, dated January 16, Justice Abang said that Onochie is to oversee and preside over meetings of the board on a part-time basis.
Abang held: “The 3rd defendant, as Managing Director of the agency, is the person statutorily empowered by the NDDC Act to perform and wield executive functions, powers and day-to-day running, as well as management of the commission to the exclusion of other members of the board of the agency, including the 2nd defendant (the chairman).”
“The 2nd defendant is, therefore, restrained from carrying out/and or exercising any executive functions in the agency.” He added.
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