A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restored Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as non Executive Chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL .
The Court voided the sack of the business man and set aside his removal done on January 17, 2023 by President Muhammadu Buhari on the ground that the action of the President was arbitrary, unlawful and illegal.
Delivering a judgement in the suit filed by Ararume, the presiding judge Justice Inyang Ekwo awarded N5Bn cost against Buhari and NNPCL to be paid to him as damages for the wrongful sack and disruption of his appointment.
Justice Ekwo ordered that Ararume be immediately restored to office as non Executive Chairman of the NNPCL.
Reacting to the judgment, Ararume described the court verdict as a victory to democracy.
Ararume had dragged Buhari before the Court praying it to declare his removal as NNPC Chief as unconstitutional arguing that it is a total breach of CAMA law under which NNPCL was incorporated.
