Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume's removal as non-executive chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has been ruled illegal and illegitimate by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

His expulsion was unlawful, according to Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the ruling in the case on Tuesday. As a result, the court reinstated him as the Non-Executive Chairman of the firm with all privileges.

The judge also annulled every choice made by the board that was established following Ararume's dismissal.

In favour of Ararume, Judge Ekwo awarded N5 billion in damages.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ararume filed a lawsuit against the federal government, asking the court to deem his removal from the NNPC board of directors as illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional.

He argued that the CAMA statute, under which NNPCL was incorporated, was broken by his expulsion by letter dated January 17, 2022, with reference number SGF. 3V111/86.

Ararume requested N100 billion in damages to make up for the harm he incurred as a result of the wrongful removal from office in addition to requesting the court to issue an order restoring him to his position. (NAN)