By Marcus Ikechukwu
President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed the case restoring Ifeanyi Ararume as the non-executive director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
Buhari, through his media aide, Femi Adesina, urged all parties to the suit to maintain calm while the court perform its functions.
According to the presidency, the administration respects the rule of law and will do nothing outside the law to disrupt the process.
Buhari said he has taken due notice of the judgment by the federal high court, Abuja, even as the office of the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice was yet to receive a formal copy of the ruling.
President Buhari had removed Ararume as the non-executive chairman of the NNPCL board, at the time arrangement was going for his swearing-in.
But the court on Tuesday, set aside all decisions taken by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited board since January.
Justice Inyang Ekwo held that President Buhari’s removal of Araraume was illegal
The judge declared as null and void all decisions taken by NNPCL’s board of directors in Araraume’s absence.
He awarded N5 billion damages against President Buhari and NNPCL in favour of Ararume for his wrongful sack and the disruption of his appointment.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has taken due notice of judgment by the Federal High Court, Abuja, restoring Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as the non-executive Chairman of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL),” the statement by Adesina on Wednesday reads.
“While the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation /Minister for Justice is yet to receive a formal copy of the ruling, the President affirms that due judicial process will be followed, and 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, the President says.
“He sues for calm from all sides involved.”
