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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reverse the latest petrol price increase, which marks the second hike in a month.
SERAP’s request comes as a legal case challenging NNPCL’s authority to raise petrol prices is still pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In an open letter dated October 12, 2024, and signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group expressed concern that the recent price hike undermines the legal process. SERAP emphasized that the increase could impede justice and damage public confidence in the court’s ability to fairly adjudicate the matter.
SERAP had previously filed a lawsuit against President Tinubu and the NNPCL, questioning the legality of the initial fuel price increase and calling for an investigation into allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the company.
In the letter, SERAP stressed, “The rule of law applies to everyone, including public officials and corporate executives,” and argued that allowing the court to proceed without further interference would reinforce the authority and integrity of the judiciary.
The letter also reminded President Tinubu of his inaugural promise to govern Nigeria impartially in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law. SERAP warned that if the price increase is not reversed, it could take legal action, including potential contempt proceedings.
The organization pointed out that the price of petrol had been increased from N897 to N1,030 per litre, following a previous increase from N600 to N855 per litre in September. The hikes, SERAP noted, were tied to supply disruptions due to the NNPCL’s $6 billion debt to suppliers.
SERAP concluded by urging the government to reverse the price hike to allow the court to deliver a fair judgment on the case, which would protect both public confidence and the interests of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.