NNPC fails to stop Ararume’s N100bn case against unlawful removal as board chairman – Newstrends
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NNPC fails to stop Ararume’s N100bn case against unlawful removal as board chairman

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Senator Ifeanyi Ararume

•As two SANs storm out of proceedings 

•Court fixes March 28 for judgment

The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) yesterday failed to halt hearing in a N100 billion suit instituted against President Muhammadu Buhari over the alleged unlawful removal of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as Board Chairman of the NNPCL, just as two senior lawyers representing the oil company in the suit stormed out of the proceedings.

Hearing in the matter filed by Ararume at the Federal High Court, Abuja had been stalled on two previous occasions by the NNPCL.

The plaintiff, Araraume had instituted a N100 billion suit against Buhari, over his alleged unlawful removal as Non-Executive Chairman of the newly-incorporated NNPCL.

Besides Buhari, the NNPCL and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) were second and third defendants respectively.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on January 11, adjourned the matter to January 23, for definite hearing.

When the matter up yesterday, the judge directed parties to identify and adopt their processes as their brief of argument in the matter.

Reacting, lead lawyer to the NNPC, Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi, drew the court’s attention to a motion for stay of proceedings challenging the January 11 of the Court, which had declined to take the NNPCL’s motion of preliminary objection to the substantive suit.

Ajayi, was of the opinion that the application for stay be taken and the court takes a decision one way or the other before progressing with the case.

Responding, Justice Ekwo declined, insisting that the court would take all motions together, including the substantive suit.

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After several attempts to make the judge take the application for stay first, failed, Ajayi, while observing that the position of the court has placed him at an uncomfortable position, asked the judge for permission to withdraw from the proceedings.

Responding, Ekwo reminded the lawyer that he was not the one who engaged Ajayi and as such the senior lawyer was at liberty to take whatever decision he seems good.

At this juncture, Ajayi withdrew from the proceedings and walked out of the court and was followed by Etigwe Uwa, SAN, who represented NNPC at the January 11 proceedings.

However, the court reminded Ajayi that a process already filed before a court was deemed adopted even if the lawyer refuses to do so.

The judge subsequently called on other parties to adopt their various processes.

Responding, Ararume’s counsel, Chief Chris Uche, urged the court to invoke the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) to nullify the removal of his client as the Chairman of the NNPCL.

Uche argued that Buhari acted outside the law to remove Ararume as Board Chairman after incorporating the oil company in his name and was billed for inauguration in that capacity.

But Buhari’s lawyer, Mr. Abubakar Shuaib, disagreed with Ararume and prayed the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that it was statute barred at the time it was filed.

Specifically, Shuaib argued that Ararume’s suit offended Section 2(a) of the Public Officers Act and as such was incompetent.

Similarly, lawyer to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Akeeem Mustapha SAN, told the court it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Mustapha in exonerating the CAC claimed that his client did not play any role in the removal of Ararume, other than incorporating NNPCL as a limited liability company based on the document submitted to it.

He, however, submitted that Ararume’s appointment was political, adding that the president has the power to hire and fire.

He stressed that Ararume’s appointment had nothing to do with the CAMA law.

Shortly, after parties adopted their brief of arguments, Justice Ekwo announced that ruling and or judgment in the suit is fixed for March 28.

Araraume had asked for N100 billion to compensate for damages caused him by the alleged unlawful and unconstitutional way and manner he was removed as the NNPCL chief after using his name to incorporate the entity.

In the suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/691/2022, the former Senator formulated four issues for determination by the court.

One of the issue was whether in view of the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the NNPC, Companies and Allied Matters Act 2010 and the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the office of the Non Executive Chairman is not governed and regulated by the stated provisions of the law.

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Chief Judicial officer quits over emergency rule in Rivers

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Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas

Chief Judicial officer quits over emergency rule in Rivers

A senior judicial officer in Rivers State, Chief Magistrate K.E. George, has tendered his resignation in protest against the ongoing emergency administration imposed on the state.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, George announced his voluntary retirement, citing the appointment of a “quasi-military administration” as the primary reason for his decision.

“This type of governance system is not only alien but also runs against the hallowed principles of the legal profession,” he wrote.

George, who served the judiciary for 16 years, said continuing in his role under the current political arrangement would imply tacit approval of the emergency governance structure.

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President Bola Tinubu, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a breakdown in governance and political instability. The move led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly.

In their place, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator for six months to oversee the state’s affairs.

Since assuming office, Ibas has suspended several state officials and initiated new appointments across various institutions—a development that has stirred legal controversy.

Chief Judicial officer quits over emergency rule in Rivers

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Abuja-Kaduna expressway re-awarded for ₦777bn, to be delivered 2026

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Abuja-Kaduna expressway re-awarded for ₦777bn, to be delivered 2026

The Abuja-Kaduna expressway, whose construction was long abandoned, has been re-awarded at the cost of N777 billion.

Flagging off the road at the weekend, the governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, who stood in for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said that the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano expressway, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna), is vital to the socio-economic life of northern Nigeria.

He noted that the road had suffered neglect for several years, costing lives, hardship and stunted economic growth.

Sani described the road as the busiest in the north and second busiest in Nigeria, after the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, lamenting that the people watched, helplessly, as its condition worsened over the years.

According to him, the road is a major artery linking the Federal Capital Territory to over 12 states across the North Central, North West, and North East geopolitical zones.

“The reconstruction of this road will undoubtedly bring much-needed relief and development to our communities. It will create job opportunities and boost security, transforming the socio-economic and political landscape of the region,” he further explained.

The governor recalled that he had pushed for the road’s completion by mobilising fellow lawmakers, organising several town hall meetings, and engaging directly with the then-president, Muhammadu Buhari.

“In response to the cries of our citizens and travellers enduring hardship on this failed portion of the road, I visited our dear leader and president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to brief him. Mr President not only gave me a listening ear, but he also gave the Minister of Works marching orders to ensure the project takes off without any delay,” he said.

According to him, one of the reasons that the former contractor gave for not completing the project, apart from funding, was the insecurity that was prevailing along the corridor at that time.

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Uba Sani noted that the non-kinetic approach to tackling insecurity is bearing fruit, as motorists can now ply the road at any time of the day or night without the fear of being attacked, kidnapped or killed.

He commended the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for stabilising the security situation along the route through the effective coordination of security agencies and the implementation of the Kaduna Peace Model.

The governor also disclosed that the president has directed all stakeholders to expedite work on other major federal road projects, including the long-delayed Eastern and Western Bypasses in Kaduna town.

In a statement, the Minister of Works, Umahi, assured Nigerians that the 700-kilometre expressway would be completed within 14 months with continuous reinforced concrete-pavement (CRCP).

He stated that the road’s standard will be like that of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and the president has added 11 kilometres to the 280 kilometres at the end of the Zaria-Kano Section, extending to the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

The governor revealed that after terminating the contract with Julius Berger (Nig.) PLC, the project had been re-awarded to a new firm with a proven track record that has been “tested and proven to be competent to do the job. I have no regrets about awarding them this job.”

Umahi also disclosed that the president has directed that the reconstructed highway will have solar-powered lighting and close-circuit TV surveillance throughout its stretch.

The minister further stated that President Tinubu has awarded the completion of the remaining portions of Sections I and III, a total of 118 kilometres for a total sum of N252 billion, adding that “30 percent of the amount has been paid to the contracting firm.

“Today, we are also flagging Section II, which is 82 kilometres by two, that is 164 kilometres at a total cost of N525 billion.

“In the past, we have been building roads, but today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is constructing roads that will last between 50 and 100 years,” he emphasised.

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He commended Uba Sani for his relentless efforts towards ensuring that the project took off, describing him as “a smart governor who has united the people of Kaduna behind the president and the APC.”

Also, in his remarks, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, appreciated Tinubu for his people-orientated leadership and infrastructural interventions across the length and breadth of the country.

“We see your numerous achievements, especially infrastructure from Illela-Sokoto to Lagos-Badagry. You have redefined road construction in Nigeria through the adoption of reinforced concrete pavement, a bold shift from the old asphaltic model,” he said.

Also, speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Engineer Olufunsho Adebiyi, the Director, Highways, Construction, and Rehabilitation, Engineer Clement Ogbuagu, drummed up the importance of collective support from all the stakeholders, including those on the corridors of the road, to appreciate the Federal Government’s efforts on the infrastructural interventions.

“Your experience, passion, and collaboration will be instrumental in driving this project forward as the government determines the well-being of its citizens. He urged the company handling the project to remain focused on the mandate and make it a resounding success,” he added.

In his remarks, the former Senator of Kaduna South, Danjuma La’al, commended the Federal Government’s efforts at infrastructural development in the state.

 

Abuja-Kaduna expressway re-awarded for ₦777bn, to be delivered 2026

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Some social media users in Nigeria have mental challenges — Bwala

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Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala

Some social media users in Nigeria have mental challenges — Bwala

Daniel Bwala, the special adviser on policy communications to President Bola Tinubu, has said some social media users commenting on national issues in Nigeria may have some form of mental health challenges.

Mr Bwala stated during an interview on Channels TV while responding to social media speculations that Mr Tinubu’s recent visit to France was for medical reasons.

He, however, said that contrary to the speculations, Mr Tinubu is not in France for medical treatment but for a working visit.

“Sometimes on social media, somebody will be tweeting; you don’t even know who the person is; it can be somebody who has mental health somewhere. You just see that information is coming out.

“The president did not go to see a doctor; he’s on a working visit and we have been publishing his activities,” he added.

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The presidential aide also took a swipe at the senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, for his constant criticism of the Tinubu administration.

He said Mr Ndume has no tangible achievement to show for his over two decades at the National Assembly.

Mr Bwala also urged the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress to be wary of the lawmaker, alleging that his soul and spirits are already with the opposition.

“Let me tell you today, and I want everybody to hear, especially the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje. Senator Ali Ndume’s spirit and soul are with the coalition; it is his body that is in APC. He is already going.

“It is better the way [Nasir] El-Rufai did: just say I am leaving. You’d give more honour and credit to El-Rufai that he didn’t feel he could stay and be a snitch,” he added.

 

Some social media users in Nigeria have mental challenges — Bwala

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