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Senator Ifeanyi Ararume has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari before a Federal High Court in Abuja and demanding N100billlion as compensation over alleged unlawful removal of his name as a non executive chairman of the newly incorporated Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC).
In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/691/2022 and instituted on his behalf by seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria comprising Chief Chris Uche, Ahmed Raji, Mahmud Magaji, Ogwu James Onoja, K.C Nwufor and Gordy Uche,.Araraume, asked the court to determine whether his removal was in line with the Memorandum of Association of the company and provision of Section 63(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and Section 288 of the CAMA ACT 2020.
.He also asked the Court to determine whether his purported removal letter of January 17, 2022, without compliance with expressly stated provisions of the law is not wrongful, illegal, null and void and of no legal consequence whatsoever.
Senator Ararume also sought an order of the court reinstating him forthwith and restoring him to office with all the rights and privileges of the office of the NNPC non-Executive Chairman and demanded the nullification and setting aside of all decisions and resolutions of the NNPC Board made in his absence from January 17, 2022, to date and another order restraining the defendants from removing his name as Director of the Company.
He requested for N100 billion as compensation for the wrongful removal, disruption and interruption of his term of office as non-Executive Chairman of the NNPC.
Ararume In a 75-paragraph affidavit in support of the suit, averred that upon the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the former Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC and its subsidiaries were unbundled to become Nigeria National Petroleum Company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission with the number 1843987.
He said on October 20, 2021, President Buhari approved his appointment as a non-Executive Chairman for a period of initial five years and subsequently, his name was registered in the Memorandum of Articles of the Company and the appointment was announced to the whole world.
He claimed that based on the appointment, he attended the 23rd World Petroleum Congress in the United States of America but surprisingly on January 7th, 2022, Buhari inaugurated the NNPC Board without recourse to him while another person was named in his place.
The Senator said he was informed of the withdrawal of his appointment through a letter of January 17, 2022, but no reason was given to justify the purported removal.
He asserted that he was not guilty of any pre-conditions for removal and was never declared bankrupt or adjudged medically unfit for the job.
As a result of the unlawful act of the defendant, the plaintiff said that the action has fuelled public suspicion and rumours against his person.
He asserted that he has suffered the loss of credibility and goodwill, untold emotional, mental and psychological trauma and public humiliation, degradation and embarrassment by his purported removal by President Buhari.
He, therefore, prayed the court to award him N100Billion naira compensation and to order his return to office in line with the letter and conditions of his appointment.
At the proceedings on WednesdayJustice Inyang Ekwo ordered that the Corporate Affairs Commission be joined as a party following no objection from Chief Chris Uche (SAN) who stood for Ararume and Alhasan. Shuaib who represented President Buhari.
Justice Ekwo thereafter fixed December 15 for further mention in the suit and ordered that the amended originating summons be served on parties before the adjourned date.
