Buhari sued for N100bn over removing of Ararume as NNPC Chairman

A N100 billion go well with has been slammed on President Muhammadu Buhari on the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja over an alleged illegal removing of Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume as a non-Govt Chairman of the newly Included Nigeria Nationwide Petroleum Firm, Restricted (NNPCL).

Ararume is claiming the massive sum from the President Buhari-led Federal Authorities as damages prompted him in the best way and method he was eliminated because the NNPC Chief after utilizing his identify to include the entity.

The go well with marked FHC/ABJ/CS/691/2022 was instituted on his behalf by a bunch of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) comprising Chief Chris Uche, Ahmed Raji, Mahmud Magaji, Ogwu James Onoja, Okay.C Nwufor and Gordy Uche.

Within the go well with, Ararume formulated 4 points for willpower by the court docket amongst which was whether or not in view of the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Affiliation of the NNPC, Corporations and Allied Issues Act 2010 and the Petroleum Trade Act 2021, the workplace of the non Govt Chairman is just not ruled and controlled by the said provisions of the legislation.

He’s additionally asking the court docket to find out whether or not by the interpretation of part 63 (3) of the Petroleum Trade Act 2021, the President can lawfully take away him as non-executive chairman of the NNPC for any motive exterior the provisions of the legislation.

The Imo politician additionally desires the court docket to find out whether or not Buhari can sack him with out compliance with expressly said provisions of the Articles of Memorandum of Affiliation of the Firm, part 63 (3) of the PIA Act 2021 and part 288 of the CAMA Act 2020.

Additionally listed for willpower is whether or not his purported removing vide letter of January 17, 2022 with out compliance with expressly said provisions of the legislation is just not wrongful, unlawful, null and void and of no authorized consequence in any respect.

Upon the willpower of the problems in his favour, the plaintiff desires the court docket to make declaration that his place as non Govt Chairman of the NNPC is completely ruled and controlled by CAMA 2020, PIA Act 2021 and Memorandum of Affiliation of the Firm.

A declaration that by the provisions of part 63 (3) of the PIA Act, CAMA Act and Memorandum of Affiliation of the NNPC, the President can not by will take away him from workplace as non Govt Chairman with out following due technique of the legislation.

Ararume due to this fact, prayed for an order of the Courtroom setting apart his removing by Buhari vide letter of January 17, 2022 with reference quantity SGF.3V111/86.

He additionally sought order of the Courtroom reinstating him forthwith and restoring him to workplace with all of the appurtenant rights and privileges of the workplace of the NNPC non Govt Chairman.

Plaintiff additional calls for for nullification and setting apart of all choices and resolutions of the NNPC Board made in his absence from January 17, 2022 until date and one other order restraining the defendants from eradicating his identify as Director of the Firm.

He requested for N100B as damages for the wrongful removing, disruption and interruption of his time period of workplace as non Govt Chairman of the NNPC.

In a 75 paragraph affidavit in help of the go well with, Ararume averred that upon the passage of the Petroleum Trade Act 2021, the previous Nigeria Nationwide Petroleum Company NNPC and its subsidiaries have been unbundled to develop into Nigeria Nationwide Petroleum Firm registered with the Company Affairs Fee with quantity 1843987.

That on October 20, 2021, President Buhari accepted his appointment as a non-executive chairman for a interval of preliminary 5 years and subsequently, his identify registered within the Memorandum of Articles of the Firm and the appointment introduced to the entire world.

Primarily based on the appointment, Ararume claimed that he attended twenty third World Petroleum Congress in the USA of America however surprisingly on January seventh, 2022, Buhari inaugurated the NNPC Board with out a recourse to him whereas one other particular person was named in his place.

By a letter of January 17, 2022, he was knowledgeable of withdrawal of his appointment however with none motive in any respect to justify the purpoted removing.

Plaintiff asserted that he was not responsible of any pre situations for removing and was by no means declared chapter or adjudged medically unfit for the job.

Primarily based on the illegal act of the defendant, plaintiff mentioned that the motion has fuelled public suspicion and rumours towards his particular person.

Subsequently, Ararume asserted that he has suffered lack of credibility and goodwill, untold emotional, psychological and psychological trauma and public humiliation, degradation and embarrassment by his purpoted removing by President Buhari.

He due to this fact prayed the court docket to award him N100Billion naira compensation and to order his return to workplace according to the letter and situations of his appointment.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo ordered that the Company Affairs Fee (CAC) be joined as a celebration following no objection from Chief Chris Uche SAN who stood for Ararume and Alhasan. Shuaib who represented President Buhari.

Justice Ekwo subsequently fastened December 15 for additional point out into the go well with and ordered that the amended originating summons be served on events earlier than the adjourned date.