Reconstitution of NNPCL board unconstitutional – HURIWA, others

 

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s recent reconstitution of the management board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), saying it breached a binding judgement of a competent court of law.

Addressing a press conference, National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, who spoke on behalf of the group and a coalition of 10 non-governmental bodies, asserted that it was illegal for the president to have made the announcement when he is aware that the Federal government had appealed a Federal High Court’s Judgement which invalidated the removal of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as Chairman of NNPC Ltd on inception.

HURIWA said thus: “The rule of law is the cornerstone of any democratic society, and its principles must be upheld at all times. The recent appointments announced by President Tinubu raise serious concerns about the commitment of the federal government to abide by the rule of law, especially when there is ongoing litigation related to the NNPC board

“Firstly, we acknowledge the president’s authority to make appointments under Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. However, the timing of these appointments, amidst a legal dispute over the removal of Senator Ararume, is not only questionable but also constitutes a clear affront to the rule of law.

“In the case of Ifeanyi Ararume vs. President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal High Court in Abuja declared Ararume’s removal as the non-executive chairman of NNPC as wrongful and ordered his reinstatement. The court also awarded damages of N5 billion in favour of Senator Ararume. This decision is binding until set aside by a competent court.

“The question that begs an answer is: Where is the respect for the rule of law when the federal government, through President Tinubu, proceeds to make new appointments while the appeal filed against the court’s decision is still pending and subsisting? This action is not only a disregard for the judicial process but also a display of lawlessness and impunity