ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Foubai Pereyi Esq, counsel for the six persons suspended by the leadership of eight host communities of Chevron Nigeria Limited in Southern Ijaw and Brass local government areas of Bayelsa State has withdrawn his services from his clients.
Pereyi has also tendered an unreserved apology over his involvement in the lingering crisis within the KEFFES Rural Development Foundation, claiming he was misled by his clients with a wrong brief.
The lawyer, in his letter of withdrawal and apology to the leadership of the foundation, claimed that he was wrongly briefed.
Pereyi also denied any involvement in the issuance of a statement over the lingering crisis within the foundation.
Also, a member of the foundation representing Fishtown community, Mr Noel Ikonikomo, who was among the six suspended and appointed as secretary of the parallel exco of Mr Tibiebi Amadein, has tendered an apology to be readmitted into the organisation.
Ikonikomo said: “Please pardon me for this mistake. To err is human and to forgive is divine. I wish to appeal to all the members of KEFFES RDF that my suspension be reviewed. Kindly pardon me and reinstate my benefits.”
Recall that six members of the KEFFES RDF were suspended fortnight ago over alleged wrongful interpretation of the order from the State High Court and allegedly attempted to change leadership through the back door.
KEFFES is a foundation representing the eight Chevron Nigeria Limited host communities in Bayelsa comprising Koluama 1 & 2, Ezetu 1 & 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni and Sangana located along the Atlantic coastlines within Bayelsa State.
Comrade Tibiebi Amadein had in suit against the chairmanship position of Mathew Selepri at the state High Court, Oporoma Division, requested the court to order that the KEFFES Rural Development Foundation (KRDF) conduct another election.
He also filed a stay of execution motion before the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
It was gathered that the High Court in its ruling did not declare the claimant, Tibiebi Amadein as chairman or executive of the KRDF.
He allegedly, in defiance to the ruling of the court, wrote a letter to Chevron claiming victory and setting up a parallel executive of the foundation.
But the members of the foundation, after an emergency meeting in Yenagoa last Saturday, said the action of Messrs Tibiebi Amadein, Kofa Murphy Daniel, Noel Ikonikomo, Christopher Longlife, Mrs Amina James and Ebitare Joseph constituted gross misconduct and acted on impunity which had caused serious disaffection and negative publicity for the body.
They accordingly suspended their membership of the foundation without benefit indefinitely.