ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, declared as illegal and unlawful, the sack of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as Non-Executive Chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL).
The judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo while delivering his judgment in the matter on Tuesday, said that Ararume’s removal was unconstitutional.
The court therefore, restored him as the Non-Executive Chairman of the company with full benefits.
Also, Justice Ekwo set aside every decision taken by the board that was appointed after Ararume’s removal.
The judge awarded N5 billion as damages in favour of Ararume.
It would be recalled that Ararume sued the Federal Government of Nigeria, praying the court to declare his sack as NNPC board chairman illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.
He contended that his removal by vide letter 17 January, 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 for N100 billion as compensation for the damages he suffered following the unlawful removal