The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against President Bola Tinubu, accusing his administration of failing to reverse the recent hike in the pump price of petrol.
In a statement on Sunday, SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, revealed that the lawsuit was filed in response to the government’s alleged refusal to investigate accusations of corruption and mismanagement within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1361/2024, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Other respondents in the suit include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the NNPCL.
SERAP is urging the court to order President Tinubu to instruct the NNPCL to reverse the recent petrol price increase from N845 to N600 per litre, which the organization deems “unjust, illegal, unconstitutional, and unreasonable.”
Additionally, the group wants the court to compel the President to direct Attorney General Fagbemi and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals implicated in the alleged corruption and mismanagement within the NNPCL.
“The increase in petrol prices is causing immense hardship for the most vulnerable populations, pushing many deeper into poverty as Nigeria’s economic conditions worsen,” SERAP argued. “Holding the NNPC accountable for these allegations would serve the public interest.”
