Court Adjourns Trial of Former NIWA MD Bola Oyebamiji Over Alleged Vehicle Auction
A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has adjourned the hearing in a case involving the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, over allegations surrounding the auction of the agency’s vehicles during his tenure.
The suit was filed by Kogi-based legal practitioner, Dr. Julius Elukpo, under the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011. The plaintiff is seeking detailed information regarding the reported sale of several NIWA vehicles through public auctions allegedly conducted shortly before Oyebamiji resigned from office.
According to a letter dated April 9, 2026, and addressed to NIWA’s Acting Managing Director, Dr. Elukpo claimed that a significant number of the agency’s vehicles were disposed of through public auctions in 2025. He is requesting comprehensive details of the transactions, including the make and model of each vehicle, year of manufacture, year of purchase, sale proceeds, and the identities of the individuals or organizations that acquired them.
In addition to the vehicle auction issue, the plaintiff is demanding further information on NIWA’s operations. These include a breakdown of staff members from Levels One to Six and their states of origin, reasons for the prolonged state of disrepair of the Lokoja-Shintaku jetty, and explanations regarding why many senior NIWA officials reportedly operate from Abuja instead of the agency’s locations. He is also seeking clarification on who funds the accommodation and transportation expenses of those officials.
The matter was scheduled for hearing on Monday but could not proceed due to the absence of legal representatives for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Minister of Transportation, all of whom are respondents in the case.
Despite their absence, Dr. Elukpo maintained that the hearing should have gone ahead, arguing that all parties had been properly served with court processes.
Counsel representing NIWA was present in court and has already filed a counter-affidavit. The plaintiff has been granted seven days to file a response.
Expressing disappointment over the absence of the other respondents, Dr. Elukpo noted that they had received notice of the proceedings several weeks earlier.
Following the developments, the presiding judge, Justice Judith N. Binjin-Eigege, adjourned the matter until September 28, 2026, after the court’s annual vacation, for further hearing.
The case is expected to draw significant attention as it raises questions about transparency, accountability, and public asset management within one of Nigeria’s key transportation agencies.
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