ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
The absence of a lawyer for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stalled the hearing of a suit challenging the use of sole administrator to run the intervention agency.
Odighonin Nwadighi Adienbo and 10 others had filed a suit at a Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, presided over by Justice Isa Dashen opposing the use of sole administrator to run the NDDC.
The plaintiffs contended that the concept of sole administrator was alien and contrary to the NDDC Act which provides for a board consisting of representatives of all states of the Niger Delta.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and NDDC are listed as first and second defendants in the suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/135/2021.
When the case was mentioned on Tuesday, Samuel Brisibe, told the court that he was mandated by counsel for the NDDC in the suit, Ume Kalu (SAN), to inform the court of his absence following the cancellation of his flight.
Brisibe appealed to the court to adjourn the case to enable Kalu to personally argue the case as he was not abreast with the developments and was merely drafted to inform the court of the reasons behind Kalu’s absence in court.
Counsel for the plaintiffs, Goodness Onuoha, however, frowned on the reason advanced by Brisibe.
Onuoha argued that the council ought to have arrived at Yenagoa on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s hearing date.
The lawyer urged the court to prevail on the defence to refrain from delaying the dispensation of justice.
Dashen adjourned the suit until June 28, 2022, for the continuation of the hearing.
Dashen had on April 5, 2022, granted an interim order restraining the Federal Government from using sole administrator to run the NDDC pending the determination of the pending suit.