
By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, has nullified the removal of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as the non-executive Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
The court nullified his removal by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, meaning that he has now been restored by the judgement as the Chairman of NNPCL.
Ararume had taken Buhari to court, asking it to declare his removal as NNPCL Chairman illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and a total breach of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) under which NNPCL was incorporated.
He also pleaded with the court to issue an order to return him to his position and made demand for a sum of N100 billion as compensation for the damages he suffered both nationally and internationally.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, while delivering the judgement, nullified Ararume’s sacking and awarded N5 billion as payment for damages against Buhari and NNPCL.
The damages are to be paid for the disruption of Ararume’s appointment on the grounds that the action of the President was arbitrary, unlawful and illegal.
Justice Ekwo also ordered that Ararume be immediately restored to office as the Non-Executive Chairman of NNPCL, declaring as null and void all decisions of the Board of Directors of NNPCL carried out in the absence of Ararume.