The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a ruling that prevents the National Assembly from reviewing the nominations of Ms Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku.
Both candidates were anticipated to be officially appointed as the Niger Delta Development Commission's chairwoman and managing director after passing the required background investigations.
The case's judge, Justice J. K. Omotosho, has mandated a suspension of the litigation until it is concluded.
In an initial summons with the designation FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022, the National Assembly is urged to hold off on investigating and endorsing the two.
The Itsekiri ethnic nationality has filed a lawsuit against the nomination on behalf of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, claiming that it is their turn to hold the seats. Chief Edward Ekpokpo Esq., Victor Wood, representing the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, and Mr Edward Omagbemi, representing the Omadino Unity Forum.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Attorney General Abubakar Malami, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, the House of Senators, Mrs Lauretta Onochie, and Chief Samuel Ogbuku are also defendants in the lawsuit.
Ama Etuwewe SAN & Co.'s lawsuit demands that the NDDC Act be implemented.
The Itsekiri ethnic nationality should produce the next NDDC board chairwoman and MD since it leads Delta State's oil output, according to the study.
The case was postponed to January 11, 2023, by Justice J. K. Omotosho, the presiding court, after considering the affidavit and hearing from the plaintiff's counsel.
“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 the 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 December 12, 2022, nugatory.
“Any act or step or action taken in this order to make the outcome of the said motion on notice dated and filed December 12, 2022, nugatory shall be a nullity.”