By Ignatius Ushie
Pursuant to the Supreme Court declaring the end of Chief Obasi Lawson led executive as the National President of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), a federal High court in the Calabar Judicial Division led by His Lordship, Honorable Justice Simon Amobede has granted a perpetual injunction and further recognises Engr. Sanusi Fari as the substantial National President of IPMAN.
In a certified true copy judgment delivered on Wednesday, 20th February and made available to Transport Day, the judge maintained that in line with the Article of the constitution guiding the Association and the succession mode, there is an automatic succession prescribed by the constitution of IPMAN.
According to Article IV of the 1997 constitution of IPMAN, the Deputy National President automatically takes over the position of National President of the association on the expiration of the tenure of office of the incumbent National President.
The judgment also noted that there is a history of zoning and rotation of the position of the National President of the Association therefore making it easy and comfortable for members.
Justice Amobede in his judgment declared that following the judgment of the Supreme Court which declared the tenure of office of Chief Obasi Lawson as National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association(IPMAN) which was created vide the judgement of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/12/2014 AUSCO OIL LIMITED AND 17 ORS VS. REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM MARKETERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA AND 9 ORS has expired by effluxion of time under the 1997 Constitution of IPMAN, the South Eastern Zone has occupy the position of National president of IPMAN under the zoning arrangement put in place by the defendant.
therefore, I order as follows:
That an order of perpetual injunction be and is hereby granted restraining the Defendant by itself, members, agent, servants, privies and collaborators from however or in any manner whatsoever reinstating, using and/or relying on 2009 Amended Constitution of IPMAN as the constitution to govern the affairs of IPMAN.
Also that an order of perpetual injunction be and is hereby granted restraining the Defendant by itself, members, servants, agents, privies and/or collaborators from howsoever or in any manner whatsoever using, declaring or applying any other mode of succession to the position of National president of IPMAN than that provided for by the 1997 Constitution of IPMAN.
According to the Honorable Justice, there shall be no order as to the cost of the judgment.
Speaking on the sideline, the Chief of Staff to the former National President, Elder Chinedu Ukadike said, the judgment was given in utmost good faith hence the association has a succession plan and it is for the good of all members so that power will rotate within all the Geo-Political zones. “I feel the judgment should be obeyed and all hands be on deck so that IPMAN can make progress”, he said.
