NNPC Chair: Court awards N5bn damages against Buhari, reverses Araraume’s sack

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared the sack of Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is illegal and unlawful.

Delivering judgement on Tuesday, April 18, Justice Inyang Ekwo said Ararume’s removal was unconstitutional and as such the court restored him as the Non-Executive Chairman of the NNPCL with full benefits.

Justice Ekwo, who also set aside every decision taken by the board after Ararume’s removal, awarded N5 billion as damages in favour of the former senator.

READ ALSO: Ararume demands N100bn from FG over removal as NNPC Chair

Ararume sued the Federal Government, praying the court to declare his sack as NNPCL board chairman illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional.

He contended that his removal by a letter dated January 17, 2022, with reference number SGF. 3V111/86 was a violation of the CAMA law under which NNPCL was incorporated.

Apart from asking the court to issue an order to return him to office, Ararume also demanded N100 billion as compensation for the damages he suffered following the unlawful removal.

The Star