Abuja, April 18, 2023 – A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday quashed the removal of Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume as Chairman of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his judgement, directed that Ararume be restored as Chairman of NNPCL.
He gave the judgment in the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1629/2022 filed by Ararume challenging his removal from office.
Ararume had argued that his removal from office was a violation of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).
He prayed the court to restore him as the Chairman of NNPCL and sought N100 billion in damages
Ekwo said that President Buhari acted outside his powers by the removal of Ararume after using his name to register NNPCL.
He said that such act could not stand in the face of the law.
The judge also held that President Buhari acted arbitrarily and unlawfully by his purporting to remove Ararume on January 17, 2023 after he had assumed office.
He ordered that Ararume be restored to office as non-Executive Chairman of the NNPCL.
The judge also declared as null and void all decisions taken by NNPCL’s Board of Directors in Ararume’s absence.
He awarded N5 billion damages in favour of Ararume for the wrongful removal and disruption of his appointment. (GBN)
