A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered President Bola Tinubu and the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bayo Ojulari, to respond to a suit seeking to compel the President to suspend Mr Ojulari from office.
Justice Mohammed Madugu of the Bwari division gave the order, directing the defendants to show cause why the court should not grant an interim order to suspend the NNPC boss pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Initiative for Promotion of Civic Obligation and Sustainable Peace.
The group had asked the court for an ex parte order to suspend Ojulari or compel him to step aside immediately, but the judge declined to grant the request.
The two reliefs for which President Tinubu and Ojulari are to respond include: An interim order directing the President to suspend or direct Ojulari to step aside as NNPC GCEO pending the conclusion of an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
An interim injunction restraining Ojulari, said to be under EFCC investigation for alleged misconduct and financial crimes, from performing his duties as GCEO of NNPC pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The EFCC is named as the second defendant in the suit, while Tinubu and Ojulari are the first and third defendants, respectively.
Justice Madugu ordered the defendants to show cause within 14 days why the two prayers should not be granted.
The court also granted leave to the claimant to serve all documents on the President through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and on Ojulari through the Legal Department of NNPC at its headquarters in Abuja.
The court ruled that such substituted service would be considered proper and valid.
The case was adjourned till January 19 for hearing.
