The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu for not directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reverse the recent increase in petrol prices. SERAP is also pushing for an investigation into allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the NNPCL.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the NNPCL were named as respondents in the lawsuit. Filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja (suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1361/2024), SERAP is requesting that the court compel President Tinubu to roll back the price of petrol from N845 per litre to N600 per litre.
In addition to the price reversal, SERAP is asking the court to mandate President Tinubu to direct Fagbemi and anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations of mismanagement, including the reported spending of $300 million in bailout funds and the NNPCL’s $6 billion debt to suppliers. SERAP claims the NNPCL has failed to remit significant oil revenues to the treasury.
SERAP argues that the petrol price hike has caused severe hardship, exacerbating poverty in the country. The lawsuit contends that holding the NNPCL accountable for alleged corruption would be in the public interest.
Filed by SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, the suit describes the price increase as a violation of constitutional and international human rights obligations, claiming it disproportionately affects vulnerable Nigerians. SERAP asserts that the increase worsens socioeconomic conditions, undermining citizens’ rights to a dignified existence and civic participation.
SERAP further argues that the persistent petrol price hikes stem from government failure to address corruption in the oil sector. They insist the government has a legal duty to mobilize resources to ensure the socio-economic rights of citizens and to investigate and prosecute corruption in the NNPCL.
No date has been set for the hearing.
