NNPC to appeal judgment restoring Ararume as non-executive chairman

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President Muhammadu Buhari has taken due notice of judgment by the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court restoring Ifeanyi Ararume as the non-executive chairman of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), says presidential aide Femi Adesina.

According to a statement by Mr Adesina on Wednesday in Abuja, the office of the attorney general of the federation has not received a formal copy of the ruling.

He maintained that the president had affirmed that due judicial process would be followed, and ”NNPCL has already taken steps to go on appeal,” claiming that the Buhari regime “respects the rule of law, and nothing will be done outside it to resolve the matter.”

According to the statement, the president called for calm from all sides involved.

The court, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, had, on Tuesday, declared the sack of Mr Ararume by the federal government as illegal and unlawful. Delivering the judgment, Mr Ekwo said his removal was unconstitutional and, as such, the court restored him as the non-executive chairman of the company with full benefits.

The judge also awarded N5 billion against the federal government and NNPCL in favour of Mr Ararume as damages for what he suffered because of the wrongful sack and disruption of his appointment.

Mr Ararume had sued the government, asking the court to declare his removal as NNPCL non-executive chair unconstitutional and a breach of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) law under which NNPCL was incorporated.

(NAN)