Court Grants Dr. Olukayode Ajulo Leave To Sue NDDC On The Misappropriation Of The Sum Of ₦40,000,000,000.00

Hon. Justice A. I Chikere of Federal High Court sitting in
Abuja, on Thursday, granted leave to a Constitutional Lawyer and
Right Activist, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo to file an Originating Summons
against the Niger Delta Development Commission for failure to grant
his requests pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act (FOI) which among others include the publication of
the budgetary appropriations made by the National Assembly to the
Niger Delta Development Commission from 2010 to 2020 and the names
and designation of members of the National Assembly who have been
awarded contracts by the NDDC or who have otherwise benefitted in
any manner howsoever from the budgetary funds of the Commission
from 2010 to 2020.

Also joined as Respondents in the Motion filed on the 16th
October, 2020 are the Managing Director, NDDC, the Attorney General
of the Federation, and the National Assembly.

It is interesting to recall that sometime in July 2020, the
Nigerian House of Representatives commenced a probe into the
financial affairs of NDDC particularly the alleged mismanagement,
within a period of 3 months, of the sum of ₦40,000,000,000.00 
(Forty Billion Naira) by the Interim Management Committee of the
NDDC.

In what appeared as a shocking revelation, the Acting Deputy
Director on Projects told the House of Representatives Committee
that the budget of the NDDC is usually hijacked by members of the
National Assembly, hence the institution of the Suit by Dr.
Olukayode Ajulo for the unveiling of how taxpayers’ monies are
spent by people in the corridors of power.

Moving the Motion Exparte, a lawyer in the Law firm of Messrs.
kayode Ajulo & Co. Castle of Law, IfunanyaOkeke Esq, who led Eme
Jackson Esq. and Glory Uhunmwangho Esq. noted that Dr. Olukayode
Ajulo had written to the NDDC requesting same to fulfill its
statutory obligations under the FOI Act and to comply with the
provisions of Section 2(3), (4) and (5), Section 29(1) and (2) and
Section 13 of the Act. 

She further noted that since NDDC received and acknowledged
receipt of the Letters dated 2nd September 2020 and 29th September
2020 respectively which were also copied to the Attorney General of
the Federation and The National Assembly, it has refused to comply
with the requests contained in the Letters.

Justice A. I Chikere accordingly granted Dr. Olukayode Ajulo
Leave to apply for judicial review of the actions of NDDC and its
officials under the FOI Act and claim the reliefs he is
seeking. 

The Court thereafter adjourned the matter to 19th November
2020.

Hon. Justice A. I Chikere of Federal High Court sitting in
Abuja, on Thursday, granted leave to a Constitutional Lawyer and
Right Activist, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo to file an Originating Summons
against the Niger Delta Development Commission for failure to grant
his requests pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act (FOI) which among others include the publication of
the budgetary appropriations made by the National Assembly to the
Niger Delta Development Commission from 2010 to 2020 and the names
and designation of members of the National Assembly who have been
awarded contracts by the NDDC or who have otherwise benefitted in
any manner howsoever from the budgetary funds of the Commission
from 2010 to 2020.

Also joined as Respondents in the Motion filed on the 16th
October, 2020 are the Managing Director, NDDC, the Attorney General
of the Federation, and the National Assembly.

It is interesting to recall that sometime in July 2020, the
Nigerian House of Representatives commenced a probe into the
financial affairs of NDDC particularly the alleged mismanagement,
within a period of 3 months, of the sum of ₦40,000,000,000.00 
(Forty Billion Naira) by the Interim Management Committee of the
NDDC.

In what appeared as a shocking revelation, the Acting Deputy
Director on Projects told the House of Representatives Committee
that the budget of the NDDC is usually hijacked by members of the
National Assembly, hence the institution of the Suit by Dr.
Olukayode Ajulo for the unveiling of how taxpayers’ monies are
spent by people in the corridors of power.

Moving the Motion Exparte, a lawyer in the Law firm of Messrs.
kayode Ajulo & Co. Castle of Law, IfunanyaOkeke Esq, who led Eme
Jackson Esq. and Glory Uhunmwangho Esq. noted that Dr. Olukayode
Ajulo had written to the NDDC requesting same to fulfill its
statutory obligations under the FOI Act and to comply with the
provisions of Section 2(3), (4) and (5), Section 29(1) and (2) and
Section 13 of the Act. 

She further noted that since NDDC received and acknowledged
receipt of the Letters dated 2nd September 2020 and 29th September
2020 respectively which were also copied to the Attorney General of
the Federation and The National Assembly, it has refused to comply
with the requests contained in the Letters.

Justice A. I Chikere accordingly granted Dr. Olukayode Ajulo
Leave to apply for judicial review of the actions of NDDC and its
officials under the FOI Act and claim the reliefs he is
seeking. 

The Court thereafter adjourned the matter to 19th November
2020.