The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu, seeking a reduction in the petrol price from N845 per litre to N600 per litre.
In the suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1361/2024, filed by SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the group is challenging the president for failing to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reverse the “unlawful” hike in petrol prices. The lawsuit also addresses the failure to investigate alleged corruption and mismanagement within the national oil corporation.
A statement released by SERAP and made available to BreakingNG on Sunday identifies the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the NNPCL as respondents.
SERAP has requested the court to order President Tinubu to compel the NNPCL to roll back the “unjust, illegal, unconstitutional, and unreasonable” increase in petrol prices. The group also urges the president to direct the Attorney-General and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the alleged corruption and mismanagement within the NNPCL, prosecute those responsible, and recover any proceeds of corruption. SERAP argues that the rising fuel prices are exacerbating the hardships faced by Nigerians.
Meanwhile, oil marketers have expressed concern over NNPCL’s monopoly in the market, advocating for direct access to petrol from the Dangote refinery.
Last Friday, Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, announced that NNPCL would remain the sole buyer of petrol from the refinery. This follows a clarification from NNPCL that it is not the exclusive off-taker from the Dangote refinery, which is free to sell its petrol to any marketer. However, SERAP’s statement emphasizes that the hike in petrol prices violates constitutional rights and international human rights obligations.
SERAP further points to corruption within the oil sector, highlighting a lack of transparency and accountability in the NNPCL’s operations. The organization noted that the latest petrol price increase, which saw prices rise from N600 to N855 per litre and in some cases over N900 per litre, was a result of suppliers’ refusal to import petroleum products due to NNPCL’s $6 billion debt.
Additionally, SERAP cited findings from the Auditor-General’s 2020 annual report, which revealed that NNPCL failed to remit USD 2.04 billion and N164 billion in oil revenues to the public treasury.
While no date has been set for the hearing, NNPCL announced on Saturday that it had mobilized 300 trucks to transport petrol from the Dangote refinery. NNPCL’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed that this move is part of an agreement between the corporation and the refinery for lifting fuel from the $20 billion Lekki-based facility. He shared images on his official X handle showing trucks lining up at the refinery’s loading gantry.
