Fakoyejo OlalekanPresident Muhammadu Buhari has been sued by the former senator representing Imo north, Ifeanyi Ararume, for removing him as board chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
Ararume was four months into the position when President Buhari replaced him with Margaret Okadigbo, the widow of the late Chub Okadigbo, a former president of the senate.
Buhari had appointed Ararume in September 2021, but the former lawmaker was sacked in January 2022. This led to Ararume’s lawsuit, demanding N100 billion compensation for damages, and his reinstatement as the board chairman.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1621/2022, the plaintiff told the Abuja federal high court that his removal was without reason, didn’t follow due process of the law, and contravenes provisions of the Articles of Memorandum of Association of the Company, section 63 (3) of the PIA Act 2021 and section 288 of the CAMA Act 2020.
He explained to the court that the sack has led to his character being questioned, as well as loss of credibility. Araruma also stated that he has lost goodwill, bear untold emotional, mental and psychological trauma.
The former lawmaker also included public humiliation, degradation and embarrassment in the list of damages he suffered. He asked that the court help interpret the laws guiding NNPC Limited and companies to enable him get justice for his removal.
What Ararume’s suit against Buhari says
“Whether by a proper construction and interpretation by this Honourable Court of the provisions of the memorandum and Articles of Association of the 2nd defendant, the Companies and Allied matters Act, 2020 and the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the office and position of the plaintiff as non-executive chairman of the 2nd defendant are not exclusively governed and regulated by the Companies and Allied matters Act, 2020, the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 and the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 2nd defendant.
“Whether by a proper construction and interpretation of the provisions of Section 63(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, the 1st defendant can lawfully remove the plaintiff as the non-executive chairman of the 2nd defendant for any reason(s) outside the conditions specifically listed in the said Section 63(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
“Whether the plaintiff as the non-executive chairman of the 2nd defendant for a fixed term of 5 (five) years with effect from the 21st Day of September 2021, can be lawfully removed from office by the 1st defendant at will and without compliance with the strict provisions of Articles 21.3, 21.4, and 24 of the memorandum and Articles of Association of the 2nd defendant, Section 63(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 and Section 288 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.
“Whether the purported removal of the plaintiff as a non-executive chairman of the 2nd defendant vide the letter dated the 17th Day of January, 2022 without compliance with the strict provisions of Articles 21.3, 21.4 and 24 of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 2nd defendant, Section 63(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 and Section 288 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 is not wrongful, illegal, null and void and of no legal consequence whatsoever.” His letter to the court reads.
Other demands by Ararume against Buhari
In his request, Ararume told the court that, “A declaration of this Honourable Court that by the provisions of Section 63(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, the 1st defendant cannot lawfully remove the plaintiff as the non-executive chairman of the 2nd defendant for any reason(s) whatsoever outside the conditions specifically listed in the said Section 63(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
“An order of this Honourable Court setting aside the removal of the plaintiff as the non-executive chairman of the 2nd defendant vide the 1st defendant’s letter dated the 17th Day of January, 2022 with reference no: SGF.3/VIII/86.
“An order of this Honourable Court reinstating the plaintiff forthwith and restoring him to his office with all the appurtenant rights and privileges of his office as the non-executive chairman of the 2nd defendant.
“The sum of N100,000,000,000 (One Hundred Billion Naira) being damages for the wrongful removal, disruption and interruption of the term of office of the plaintiff as the non-executive chairman of the 2nd defendant.”
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