Court sacks Buhari’s aide Lauretta Onochie 18 assistants

A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has invalidated the appointment of 18 aides made by the Chairperson of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Lauretta Onochie.

The court ruled that Onochie exceeded her authority in making these appointments and prohibited her from interfering with the responsibilities of the commission’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.

This decision was reached in response to a lawsuit filed by Dr. Mike Oberabor on behalf of the Oberabor Oreme-Egbede families of the Olomoro community in Isoko South Local Government, Delta State.

The NDDC, Onochie, and Ogbuku were named as the defendants in the case.

The plaintiff sought clarification regarding the NDDC Act of 2000 due to certain actions taken by Onochie that were believed to be in violation of the Act.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Okon Abang and documented by the Court Registrar, Anigboro Enonuya, emphasized that Onochie’s role was limited to part-time oversight and chairing meetings of the board.

The judge highlighted that the primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the agency lies with the managing director, who serves as the chief executive and accounting officer of the NDDC.

According to Justice Abang, Onochie’s unilateral decision to appoint 18 aides and her demand for an executive office within the commission were in direct violation of the relevant provisions of the NDDC Act and the circulars issued by the Federal Government.

The judge firmly stated that the managing director, as specified in the NDDC Act, holds the exclusive authority to perform executive functions, exercise powers, and oversee the daily operations of the commission, without interference from other board members, including the chairperson.

Consequently, all actions taken by Onochie, including the appointment of personal aides, which were executed under her assumed executive powers in the NDDC since her assumption of duty on January 4, 2023, were deemed null and void.

The court explicitly restrained Onochie from engaging in any executive functions within the NDDC and from interfering with the managing director’s duties and responsibilities.

In addition to the ruling, the court ordered the board chairman to pay a sum of N100,000 to the plaintiff as costs. Although the judgment was dated May 9, 2023, the certified true copy was obtained on Monday.

Lauretta Onochie, in response to the court’s decision, expressed her thoughts on her Facebook page, stating, “I’m not susceptible to blackmail as I adhere to the rules. 18 aides for me? Just clowns and liars!”