The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the latest increase in the price of petrol pending the hearing and determination of a suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the legality of the powers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, to increase petrol prices.
The latest increase has seen NNPCL outlets in Lagos sell a litre of petrol for N998 from the initial price of N855, while in Abuja, it went to N1,030 from N897.
In other petrol stations, the price of the product goes for as much as N1,050 in some parts of Lagos State.
Recall that SERAP had last month sued the President and NNPCL over the failure to reverse the increase in the pump price of petrol, as well as refusal to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL.
In an open letter dated 12 October 2024 and signed by Deputy Director, 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 the case.
In the letter, SERAP said one of the fundamental principles of the rule of law is that it applies to everyone, including presidents and CEOs of public institutions.
According to SERAP, 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.
Parts of the letter read: “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.”
Pending lawsuit: SERAP asks Tinubu to reverse latest petrol price hike