The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated a legal action against President Bola Tinubu regarding his administration’s failure to reverse the recent rise in petrol prices.
In this lawsuit, SERAP has also called for an investigation into alleged corruption and mismanagement within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Joining the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, as well as the NNPCL itself.
This information was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by Kolawole Oluwadare, the Deputy Director of SERAP.
The lawsuit was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. It seeks a court order compelling President Tinubu to instruct the NNPCL to roll back the “unjust, illegal, unconstitutional, and unreasonable” increase in petrol prices from N845 per litre to N600 per litre.
Additionally, SERAP is requesting that the court mandate President Tinubu to direct Mr. Fagbemi and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the corruption and mismanagement claims surrounding the NNPC.
Furthermore, SERAP is urging the court to ensure that President Tinubu directs Fagbemi and the appropriate agencies to initiate prosecutions against anyone found responsible for the alleged corruption and mismanagement at the NNPCL.
“The recent surge in petrol prices is inflicting severe hardship on the economically disadvantaged. As Nigeria’s economic conditions worsen, this increase is driving many deeper into poverty,” the statement highlighted.
SERAP concluded that holding the NNPC accountable for the alleged corruption and mismanagement within the oil sector is crucial for serving the legitimate interests of the public.
