Group Condemns Inauguration of NNPCL Board, Says Tinubu Acted against Rule of Law

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration of the new Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The group hinged its condemnation on the grounds that the issue of the leadership, particularly the chairman of the board is still pending at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

A Federal High Court had last year nullified the removal of the name of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as chairman of the NNPCL and restrained the federal government from taking any steps to prevent Ararume from functioning as NNPCL Board chair.

Although, the oil firm and the federal government have appealed the judgment, and while it was yet to be vacated by the court, the president appointed a fresh executive and inaugurated them few days ago.

Reacting, the human rights group in a  statement, criticised the president’s move, stating that inaugurating the board during the legal proceedings reflects a disregard for the rule of law and a lack of respect for the judiciary.

Besides, HURIWA argued that such actions set a dangerous precedent and undermine justice and fairness in the country.

The statement, signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, highlighted the violation of a Federal High Court judgment that restrained the President from removing Araraume as the Non-Executive Director of NNPC Ltd.

HURIWA emphasized that the court’s decision remains valid and in effect.

While expressing shock at the president’s alleged disobedience of the court judgment, HURIWA condemned the purported appointment and inauguration of a new Board and Management Team for NNPC Ltd instead of implementing the court’s ruling. The organization accused the President of overruling the courts and undermining the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal, where the federal government has a pending appeal.

“It is shocking that rather than obey the valid and extant judgment of the court, the president has taken the laws into his hands to overrule the courts and usurp the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal by taking steps to undermine the judgment through such illegal appointments,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the group has called on Senator Ifeanyi Ararume to file a contempt application against the new board members, urging the court to take appropriate action to protect the sanctity of its proceedings, stressing that regardless of status, individuals and institutions must be held accountable for flouting legal processes.

Onwubiko, in the statement, argued that the federal government’s insistence on making new appointments during a legal challenge creates a situation where the appellate court may face a predetermined outcome, rendering any decision on the appeal meaningless.

Moreover, HURIWA argued that the president’s actions might violate the principles of the separation of powers, encroaching upon the domain of the judiciary. The organisation called for a thorough investigation into the inauguration’s circumstances and the subsequent warning of dissolution.

Condemning the president’s alleged behaviour, HURIWA emphasised the need to uphold the rule of law and urged relevant stakeholders, including the National Assembly and the Nigerian Bar Association, to investigate the matter thoroughly.

The organisation concluded by acknowledging the challenges faced by the oil and gas industry in Nigeria but insisted that addressing these challenges must be done within the confines of the law and with due respect for legal processes and the independence of the judiciary.