The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the latest petrol price increase, pending the outcome of a lawsuit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suit challenges the legality of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) authority to raise petrol prices.
The recent price adjustment has pushed the price of petrol at NNPCL outlets in Lagos to N998 per litre, up from N855, while Abuja stations now sell at N1,030, up from N897.
In some areas of Lagos, other stations sell the product for as high as N1,050 per litre.
SERAP had previously sued the President and NNPCL over their failure to roll back earlier price hikes and investigate alleged corruption and mismanagement within the NNPCL.
In an open letter dated October 12, 2024, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group expressed concern that the new price hike undermines the judicial process.
It warned that the increase risks prejudicing the case currently before the Federal High Court and could impair the course of justice.
“One of the fundamental principles of the rule of law is that it applies to everyone, including presidents and CEOs of public institutions,” the letter stated. SERAP emphasized the need to preserve the integrity of the judiciary and protect public confidence in the court system.
The letter recalled Tinubu’s promise during his May 2023 inauguration that Nigeria would be governed impartially, in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.
“Increasing petrol prices while the case is pending would prejudice the court’s ability to deliver justice, undermine public trust in the judiciary, and damage the case’s outcome,” SERAP noted.
The group urged the President to reverse the increase immediately and warned that failure to act could lead to contempt proceedings and other legal measures to compel compliance in the public interest.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken following the receipt and/or publication of this letter,” SERAP wrote, adding that the organization remains committed to pursuing justice and accountability.
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