In a recent development, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume has strongly criticized the appeal lodged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to overturn the judgment of the Federal High Court, which ordered his reinstatement as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of the newly-formed NNPCL.
Speaking through his legal team led by Chris Uche, SAN, Ararume argued that NNPCL’s appeal lacked merit, competence, and was an unnecessary waste of the court’s time, calling for its dismissal with significant costs.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, headed by Justice Inyang Ekwo, had previously ruled in favor of Ararume on April 18, ordering his immediate reinstatement as NNPC’s Chairman. The court declared his removal, initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari, as illegal, unconstitutional, and null and void. It further demanded N5 billion in damages for the wrongful removal and deemed all actions taken by the board in Ararume’s absence as null and void.
However, NNPCL, dissatisfied with the court’s decision, approached the Court of Appeal, Abuja, presenting 18 grounds to challenge the judgment. Mr. Yusuf Ali, SAN, the lead counsel for NNPCL, argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction, the suit was statute-barred, and Ararume’s evidence failed to meet the required standards.
In response, Ararume raised objections to the appeal, asserting that NNPCL’s brief of argument was filed by a non-party to the suit. He argued that there was no proper appellant before the Court of Appeal, as the NNPCL he sued was distinct from the NNPC that submitted the brief of argument, therefore lacking the legal standing to prosecute the appeal.
Amidst these legal arguments, Ararume strongly urged the court to dismiss NNPCL’s appeal and impose substantial costs, denouncing it as a blatant abuse of the court process.”
