The Federal Government has said that it will follow the judicial process in the suit involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and a former Chairman of its Board, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
Adesina said president Muhammadu Buhari has taken due notice of judgment by the Federal High Court, Abuja restoring Araraume as the non-executive Chairman of the NNPCL.
In addition to this, the court also awarded N5 billion in favour of the politician.
Adesina said while the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice was yet to receive a formal copy of the ruling, the President affirmed that due judicial process will be followed, adding that the NNPCL has already taken steps to go on appeal.
The Administration respects the Rule of Law, and nothing will be done outside it to resolve the matter, President Buhari said, while suing for calm from all sides involved.
It would be recalled that the Federal High Court, Abuja had on Tuesday declared the sack of Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume as Non-Executive Chairman of the NNPCL as illegal and unlawful.
Justice Inyang Ekwo said that 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 set aside every decision taken by the board that was appointed after Ararume’s removal.
Justice Ekwo awarded N5 billion as damages in favour of Ararume.
Ararume had sued the Federal Government, praying the court to declare his sack as NNPC board chairman illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.
He contended that his removal by vide letter Jan. 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 for N100 billion as compensation for the damages he suffered following the unlawful removal.
