SERAP Seeks Reversal of Fresh Petrol Price Hike

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has written to President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the latest petrol price increase.

The organisation urged Mr Tinubu “to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately reverse the second increase in petrol prices in one month, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja challenging the legality of the powers of the NNPCL to increase petrol prices.”

Business Post reported that Nigerians now officially buy petrol at over N1,000 per litre following a cue by the NNPC retail outlets in Lagos to sell a litre of petrol for N998 in Lagos and N1,030 in other places from the initial price of N855 a few weeks back.

The price goes for as much as N1,300 in some parts of Lagos State and N1,500 in other parts of the country.

SERAP had last month filed a lawsuit against the president and NNPC Limited “over the failure to reverse the apparently unlawful increase in the pump price of petrol, and to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL.”

In its open letter dated October 12, 2024, and signed by its deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said, “The latest increase in petrol prices makes a mockery of the case pending before the Federal High Court, and creates a risk that the course of justice will be seriously impeded or prejudiced in this case.”

It said, “One of the fundamental principles of the rule of law is that it applies to everyone, including presidents and CEOs of public institutions.”

“It is in the public interest to keep the streams of justice clear and pure and to maintain the authority and integrity of the court in the case.

The organisation also said, “Allowing the Federal High Court to hear and determine the case would be entirely consistent with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], your oath of office and oft-repeated promises to uphold the rule of law.

“SERAP notes that since assumption of office in May 2023 you have repeatedly promised, including in your inaugural speech, that ‘Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the Constitution and the rule of law.’

“Increasing petrol prices while the Federal High Court case is pending would prejudice and undermine the ability of the court to do justice in the case, damage public confidence in the court, prejudice the outcome of the case, as well as impede the course of justice.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken following the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP shall consider contempt proceedings and/or other appropriate legal actions to compel your government and NNPCL to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter read in parts.