Two senior lawyers, Prof.Kanyisola Ayayi SAN and Etigwe Uwa SAN who represented Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, in the defence of the N100bn suit filed by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume on Monday walk -out of Court during the hearing.
Other junior lawyers in the defence team also suddenly left the court .
Senator Ararume had challenged his sudden removal as the Chairman of the Board of Director of the Company, insisting that his name was removed after it has been used incorporating the company.
Prof. Ajayi who is leading others left the court after the counsel had identified their processes .He had insisted that the preliminary objection be heard first and rule upon before the hearing of the substantive matter .
However, the trial Court Judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo over ruled his submission.The judge said the court will take applications together and rule on objections first and if it succeed the matter will be terminated but if it fail the court will proceed and deliver judgment.
Prof Ajayi interjected that he need fair hearing.
Justice Ekwo said the court will hear all the applications and the main matter today in line with the Practice Direction.
Ajayi interjected adding “,my Lord may I take permission to withdraw from this case.”
Judge: “I did not bring you here” .
The senior lawyer thereafter packeted his books and left the court. Other lawyers in NNPC defence team followed him out of the court.
The court continue with the heating and ruled that the 2nd defendant counsel having identified their processes filed in court is deemed to have been adopted.
The matter has been adjourned to March 28, 2023 for ruling and judgment.