Senator Araraume Protests New NNPC Limited Chairman Appointment

• Senator Araraume vehemently opposes the appointment of a new NNPC Limited chairman, citing a court order and alleged disregard for legal processes
• Araraume demands N100 billion in damages, accusing President Tinubu of unlawfully removing him as NNPC Limited’s board chairman

Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has vehemently opposed the appointment of a new non-executive chairman for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), asserting that it violates a court order. Araraume, recognized as the chairman of the board, contends that President Bola Tinubu’s action goes against the court’s directive.

In a recent public notice issued by his lawyer, Dr. Ogwu Onoja, SAN, Araraume emphasized that he continues to hold the position of chairman until instructed otherwise by the court. The notice referenced a Federal High Court judgment and order dated April 18, 2023, which restrained the President from removing Araraume’s name as a Non-Executive Director of NNPC Ltd.

The notice stated, “It is shocking that rather than obey the valid and extant judgment of the court, the president has taken the laws into his hands to overrule the courts and usurp the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal before whom, the president has filed an appeal which is pending, by taking steps to undermine the judgment by such illegal appointments.”

Araraume demanded a significant sum of N100 billion in damages for the unlawful manner in which he was removed as board chairman, emphasizing that his name was used in the incorporation of the entity.

The senator’s protest underscores the legal and procedural challenges surrounding the appointment of the NNPC Limited chairman and the contentious issues arising from conflicting court orders.

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