Senator Ifeanyi Ararume has strongly criticized the appeal filed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as a blatant misuse of the court process. The appeal aims to overturn a Federal High Court judgment that ordered Ararume’s reinstatement as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board at NNPCL.
Ararume’s legal team, led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, contends that the appeal lacks merit and is ineffective, wasting the court’s time. The stance is laid out in a brief of argument dated July 31, 2023.
In April 2023, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ruled in favor of Ararume’s immediate reinstatement, deeming his removal unlawful. This led NNPCL to challenge the decision in the Court of Appeal.
NNPCL’s appeal, submitted on June 30 and filed on July 3, presents 18 grounds challenging the trial court’s decision. The company asserts that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, that Ararume’s suit was statute-barred, and that his evidence was insufficient. NNPCL also argues that the president’s authority extends to appointing and removing the Non-Executive Chairman.
Ararume rejects the appeal’s legitimacy, asserting that NNPCL, as the appellant, is not the proper party before the Court of Appeal. He urges the court to dismiss the appeal and views the trial court’s judgment as appropriate and constitutionally sound.
The ongoing legal battle revolves around Ararume’s removal from his position by President Muhammadu Buhari and subsequent orders by the courts for his reinstatement. The appeal’s fate now rests with the Court of Appeal.