NCAA staff sues NDDC MD over maltreatment

By Doyin Ojosipe

The Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Company (NDDC), Dan Abia Bassey has been ordered to appear before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Dan Abia Bassey is accused of allegedly manhandling a consumer protection officer of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on May 26.

The officer, Mr. Idris Bashir, who is also the plaintiff, had approached the court to seek justice against the battery and assault meted at him at his duty post without any provocation in the discharge of his duty.

The plaintiff, Mr. Bashir explained how he had tried shielding an Arik Air ground staff, known as Joseph Nkuyuk, from further beating and battery by Mr. Manasseh, a Mobile Police corporal, who was allegedly acting on the NDDC boss’ directive.

The Arik Air staff was beaten as a result of a dispute that ensued due to a missing bag belonging to Mr. Bassey, however, a bewildered consumer protection officer had intervened to stop the further abuse and assured the police corporal of finding the missing bag.

Bashir explained that after being quizzed by the police corporal, he had barely returned to his desk when the NDDC boss, Mr. Bassey pounced on him, slapping and kicking him severally, while inflicting pains and injuries on him in the sight of the shocked public.

The plaintiff also expressed to his complete dismay, how Mr. Bassey had further ordered men of the State Security Service (SSS) to summon him even while receiving First Aid treatment at the clinic for his explanation of what transpired between the boss and himself.

Bashir, therefore, is seeking justice for the several injuries inflicted on him and for degradation of his personal image in sight of the public.

The plaintiff also prayed the court to order the defendant to not only tender a public apology in any of the national daily newspaper, but to also pay the sum of N50, 000, 000 for damages inflicted on him at the course of Mr. Bassey’s oppressive actions.