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Groups Plan Protest Over Ararume’s Reinstatement As NNPCL Chair
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
A coalition of over 25 civil society organisations has protested against a court judgment that reinstated Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as Non-Executive Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, after his removal by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
The coalition called on the Department of State Services to release its security report on Ararume during his screening by the National Assembly while hinting at a major protest against the judgment in Abuja next week.
According to the groups, under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance, the security report by the DSS on Ararume would give a clear indication of why he was dropped from the board of the NNPCL.
READ ALSO: [BREAKING] NNPCL: Court Reverses Ararume Sacking, Awards N5bn Damages Against Buhari
Convener of the CCSGGG, Dominic Ogakwu, issued the protest notice and made the call to the DSS in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, titled ‘Ararume vs. NNPCL: Coalition Urges DSS to Release Security Report, Plans Protest.’
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had on Tuesday nullified Ararume’s sacking by the President and reinstated him as Non-Executive Chairman of the NNPCL. In the judgment delivered by Justice Ikwo Inyang, the court had also awarded him N5bn in damages.
The President had on Wednesday sued for calm from all parties involved in the board chairmanship tussle, saying due process would take its course.
Ogakwu stated, “We have undertaken to express our dismay by protesting in Abuja next week, as the judiciary cannot be seen to overreach itself, which, unfortunately, has become the common denominator over the past few weeks.
READ ALSO: Senate Indicts NNPCL Over N102bn Crude Oil Deliveries
“The political implication of what has happened in this matter is not lost on those of us that are watching events in the oil and gas sector keenly.
“After a hitch-free transition from the wholly owned government entity to a public liability company, and focused administration since the unbundling, this judgment seeks to muddy the waters and allow elements with less than noble intentions to undermine the operations of the NNPC Limited.
“We had imagined that the courts would take into account not just the national interest but also the international dimension and not project Nigeria as an unstable oil and gas investment destination.”
Ogakwu commended the President for indicating that the Federal Government was appealing the judgment.
READ ALSO: Fuel Subsidy Now Above N400bn Monthly – NNPCL
“It is gratifying that President Buhari has directed that the judgment be appealed and that the CAMA does not supersede the constitutional provisions of the president to hire and fire any appointee of government. We are also pleased to note a groundswell of opposition to the judgment and we hope that when the federal government appeals the controversial judgment, the appellate court will see reason not to allow the miscarriage of just to stand,” he stated.
On January 5, 2022, Buhari appointed the Board and Management of the NNPCL, replacing Ararume with Margery Okadigbo, widow of the late Chuba Okadigbo who was Buhari’s running mate in the 2003 presidential election.
He also named Mele Kyari as Chief Executive Officer and Umar Ajiya as Chief Financial Officer.
The appointment came barely five months after Buhari signed into law the Petroleum Industry Act (2021).
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Ararume’s N100bn Suit: Drama As Two Senior Advocates For NNPCL Stage Walkout In Court
In September 2021 the President had written to the Senate on the administrative structure amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act, which included the appointment of Non-Executive Board Members, removal of the Ministries of Petroleum and Finance from the Board of the two new institutions, and appointment of Executive Directors.
The appointments took effect from the date of the incorporation of the NNPCL on September 29, 2021.
However, Ararume’s replacement set off a long legal battle that culminated in his favour on Tuesday.
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News
JUST IN: Kenya Airways Pays NCAA Sanction Fee For Passenger’s Rights Violations
Published
19 minutes agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
Kenya Airways has paid the sanction fee imposed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority over passenger rights violations, including the case involving Nigerian traveller Gloria Omisore.
According to a post by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on his official X account on Thursday, the airline settled the penalty on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, following a series of meetings that included the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, airline representatives, and officials from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
“Kenya Airways has, on Wednesday 17/09/2025, paid the sanction fee as a penalty for the Gloria Omisore and other consumer protection-related infractions,” Achimugu confirmed.
READ ALSO:NCAA Slams Penalty On Kenya Airways Over Gloria Omisore, Others
He stressed that NCAA sanctions are not designed to punish operators but to strengthen compliance with safety and passenger-handling standards.
“As always, NCAA sanctions are not to punish operators, but to help improve their flight operations, especially with regard to safety and passenger handling protocols,” he said.
While commending Kenya Airways for complying, Achimugu noted that payment of fines does not conclude the matter, as the timeframe for resolving the cases has already elapsed. “The payment of sanction fines does not conclude the issues. The NCAA will follow through and is assuring both passengers and airlines of its commitment to protecting their rights and responsibilities,” he added.
Achimugu also emphasised the airline’s long-standing partnership with Nigeria, noting that the penalty was case-specific and does not diminish the positive aspects of its operations.
The NCAA said it would continue to enforce regulations to safeguard passenger rights and ensure airlines adhere to international aviation standards.
READ ALSO:NCAA Petitions IGP Over KWAM 1’s Unruly Conduct In Abuja Airport
In February, Nigerian passenger Gloria Omisore accused Kenya Airways of mishandling her during a disrupted trip that left her stranded at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Omisore, who had been denied boarding on her connecting flight to Paris due to a missing Schengen transit visa, claimed the airline had earlier assured her she was eligible to travel. The visa issue resulted in a 17-hour layover, followed by an additional 10-hour delay for an alternative London route offered by the airline.
During the long wait, Omisore requested accommodation and care, citing exhaustion and health concerns, but Kenya Airways declined, arguing that such provisions do not apply in visa-related denied boardings. The situation escalated into a confrontation, captured on video, where Omisore allegedly threw used sanitary pads at staff.
In response, the NCAA launched an investigation, finding Kenya Airways guilty of breaching consumer protection regulations and misleading the public in its initial statements.
On May 7, 2025, the NCAA sanctioned the airline, ordering compensation of 1,000 Special Drawing Rights for each of the three affected passengers, including Omisore, and demanding a public apology.
News
Flood: Residents Chide Edo Govt Over Failure To Show Concern
Published
27 minutes agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
Residents of Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State have lambasted the Governor Monday Okpehbolo-led state government over failure to show concern on the tragic incident where a cocoa merchant, Frank Omoruyi, was swept away by flood.
Recall that it was reported on Tuesday that flood swept away a man earlier identified as motorcyclist.
The residents, while expressing displeasure over the state government’s failure to send any rescue team to help recover the corpse, said they paid what they termed ‘good money’ to divers from Benue State to recover Omoruyi’s corpse from a burrow pit at Uwenbo area after two days of intense search.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo Warns Companies Against Fuelling Edo–Delta Boundary Dispute
The residents who lamented that no state government or local government official joined in the rescue operation, threatened to protest and stop further construction work of the Benin-Auchi highway.
A resident, Samuel Osarenkhoe said: “Two Benue boys were hired to get the body out. We paid them handsomely. He was a cocoa merchant. He was our member and a good friend.
Another resident, Luis Ebabulu, said: “They were saddened that no government official visited the community two days after the incident occurred.
READ ALSO:Edo PDP Knocks Okpebholo Over ₦2.5b Donation To UBTH
“No government official has been here since the incident occurred. We have been contributing money to pay people to search for the body. We are coming out tomorrow to protest to stop the project. They cannot be doing roads and be killing us.
“Flooding and erosion problems have been worsened by the construction of the Benin-Auchi highway. The contractor channeled flood water to the borrowed pit.”
Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, said Governor l has desilted drainages across the state.
News
Police Disown Viral Recruitment Notice, Warn Against Fraud
Published
3 hours agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
The Nigeria Police Force has disowned a recruitment notice circulating on social media, describing it as fake and warning Nigerians not to fall victim to fraudulent schemes.
The document, titled “Nigeria Police Force Recruitment Exercise 2025”, had invited applications from SSCE, OND, HND, and B.Sc. holders, listing requirements such as age limits, fitness standards, and academic qualifications. It also outlined an alleged application process through a supposed police recruitment portal scheduled to open on September 23, 2025.
The notice claimed that candidates were expected to be Nigerian citizens by birth, hold a valid National Identification Number, and meet minimum height and academic criteria. It also warned against membership of secret societies and directed applicants to submit various documents, including birth certificates and guarantor declarations.
READ ALSO:Police Vows To Arrest Killers of NSCDC Officers In Edo
In a post on its verified X handle on Thursday, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed the claims and stamped the document “FAKE” to alert the public.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) had earlier issued a similar warning. On August 30, PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani clarified that no recruitment exercise had been announced for 2025.
“The advertorial currently in circulation is fictitious and diversionary,” Ani said. “The Commission has repeatedly urged young Nigerians eager to join the police to be patient and await the official process.”
READ ALSO:Police Vows To Arrest Killers of NSCDC Officers In Edo
He added that the forged documents being circulated bear no resemblance to the Commission’s official communication.
The police authorities reiterated that any official recruitment exercise would be publicly announced through verified government platforms.
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