A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has sacked 18 aides appointed by the Chairperson of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Lauretta Onochie.
It held that she acted outside her powers in appointing them.
The court barred her from interfering with the functions of the commission’s Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku.
The declaration was made in a suit by Dr. Mike Oberabor, for himself and on behalf of the Oberabor Oreme-Egbede families of the Olomoro community of Isoko South Local Government, Delta State.
The NDDC, Onochie and Ogbuku are the first, second and third defendants.
The plaintiff sought an interpretation of the NDDC Act 2000 following some actions by Onochie believed to be against the Act.
Justice Okon Abang said having considered the provisions of the NDDC Establishment Act 2000 and the circular issued by the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation dated January 16, Onochie is to oversee and preside over meetings of the board on a part-time basis.
