The presidency has disclosed, President Muhammadu Buhari will appeal the court verdict on the restoration of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as the non-executive Chairman of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Buhari fired Ararume but the Federal High Court in Abuja voided the sack and reinstated Ararume stating that the actions of the president were unlawful and illegal.
Delivering the judgment in a suit instituted by Ararume on Tuesday, Justice Ekwo awarded the sum of N5 billion against Buhari and NNPCL to be paid to Ararume as damages for his wrongful sack.
However, presidential spokesman Femi Adesina in a statement said Buhari had taken due notice of the judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which reinstated Ararume as NNPCL’s non-executive chairman.
“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,” Adesina stated.
Adesina said Buhari respects the rule of law and nothing will be done outside the law to resolve the matter.
He said the president is asking for calm from all sides involved.