The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has gone to the Federal High Court in Abuja. They want the court to make the petrol price go back to 600 Naira per liter.
On September 15, 2024, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, shared this news. He signed a statement and sent it to Newslodge.
The lawsuit says President Bola Tinubu hasn’t told the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to lower the fuel price. SERAP also wants to investigate if there is any corruption or bad management at NNPCL.
What SERAP is Asking For
In the case labeled FHC/ABJ/CS/1361/2024, SERAP wants the court to make President Tinubu tell NNPCL to reduce the fuel price. They say the high price is unfair, illegal, and too much for people to handle. They want it changed from 845 Naira per liter back to 600 Naira per liter.
The case also involves the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the NNPCL.
They argue that the high fuel price is making life hard for Nigerians. The economy is getting worse, and people are becoming even poorer.
SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, says that the high fuel price goes against the rights guaranteed by the constitution. He says it also doesn’t meet international agreements to keep basic living conditions decent.
Problems with Corruption
He mentions that corruption in the oil sector and lack of transparency have caused the fuel price to go up unlawfully. He believes that making NNPCL responsible for their actions would benefit the public.
Who is Most Affected
The increase in fuel price is hurting the poorest and most vulnerable people in society. It is making their living conditions worse and affecting their well-being.
He explains that the right to life means everyone should have access to a decent life. He wants the court to order the fuel price to be lowered.
SERAP also wants the court to make President Tinubu and anti-corruption agencies investigate NNPCL. This includes looking into how they spent $300 million in bailout funds from the Federal Government in August 2024 and their $6 billion debt to suppliers, despite not paying oil revenues into the treasury.
There is no set date for the case hearing yet. The other side has the right to respond to SERAP’s claims in court.
Things You Should Know
On May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu, during his first speech as President, said that Nigeria would stop fuel subsidies. He said the country needed to use that money for things like infrastructure, healthcare, and job creation.
- Newslodge reported that this decision made petrol prices jump from around 195 Naira to over 617 Naira per liter. This was a 216% increase by mid-2023.
- Even without the subsidy, there were still fuel shortages. This made prices go up even more by July and August 2024, with prices between 800 and 900 Naira per liter.
- The shortages were due to NNPC’s debts to foreign oil traders, a result of removing the subsidy.
- NNPC first denied it, but later admitted that these debts made the fuel crisis worse. It’s estimated they owe $6.8 billion.
- By early September 2024, NNPC stations in Lagos raised prices to 855 Naira per liter. Some places even charged 897 Naira, while independent stations charged between 1,000 and 1,100 Naira per liter in Lagos, with higher prices in other regions.
