The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu, demanding a reduction in petrol prices from the current N845 per litre to N600 per litre.
The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1361/2024, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja by SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.
SERAP’s lawsuit challenges the President’s alleged failure to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reverse what it terms an “unlawful” hike in petrol prices. Additionally, the organisation is calling for an investigation into corruption and mismanagement within the national oil company.
The statement issued on Sunday lists the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the NNPCL as respondents. SERAP requests that the court compel President Tinubu to take action to lower the petrol price and to direct relevant agencies to investigate and prosecute anyone involved in alleged corruption in the NNPCL.
The group argues that the increase in petrol prices is causing “immense hardship” for Nigerians and violates constitutional and international human rights obligations.
Oil marketers have expressed dissatisfaction with the NNPCL’s market dominance and are pushing for direct access to petrol from the Dangote refinery. However, the Federal Government has announced that the NNPCL will remain the sole buyer of petrol from the refinery.
Meanwhile, NNPC announced the mobilisation of 300 trucks to the Dangote refinery for petrol lifting, set to begin on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
