The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on President Bola Tinubu to leverage his leadership to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to reverse what it describes as the “illegal and unconstitutional” increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit commonly referred to as petrol, at its retail outlets.
SERAP also urged the president to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, alongside appropriate anti-corruption agencies, to investigate allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the NNPC.
This includes probing the utilization of the $300 million bailout funds received from the Federal Government in August 2024, and the company’s $6 billion debt to suppliers, despite its alleged failure to remit oil revenues to the national treasury.
The organization emphasized that individuals implicated in the alleged corruption and mismanagement within the NNPC should be prosecuted if there is sufficient evidence, and any proceeds of corruption recovered.
In an open letter dated September 7, 2024, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare and shared on X account on Sunday, the group argued that the increase in petrol price violates both constitutional guarantees and Nigeria’s international human rights commitments.
“Nigerians have for far too long been denied justice and the opportunity to get to the bottom of why they continue to pay the price for corruption in the oil sector,” SERAP stated.
The letter further highlighted that rather than implementing policies to alleviate the worsening poverty and inequality in the country, the government seems to be penalizing the poor.
“The increase in petrol price has rendered already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their minimum needs for survival,” the letter stated.
According to SERAP, the price hike is a consequence of successive governments’ failure to address corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector, along with the impunity granted to those involved.
“Corruption in the oil sector and the lack of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds to support the operations of the NNPC have resulted in persistent and unlawful hike in petrol prices,” the letter added. Holding the NNPC accountable for these alleged acts, SERAP argued, would serve the public interest.
SERAP expressed deep concern about the devastating impact the price hike is having on vulnerable Nigerians, further pushing people into poverty as the country’s economic situation deteriorates.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter warned.
The letter stressed that the increase in petrol prices at a time of severe economic hardship is inconsistent with the government’s constitutional and international obligations to safeguard the minimum living conditions necessary for a dignified existence.
The petrol price increase, SERAP argued, disproportionately affects the most vulnerable sectors of society, further worsening their socioeconomic conditions and hindering their civic participation.
“The increase constitutes a serious human rights problem because of the intensity with which it undermines the enjoyment and exercise by Nigerians of their human rights and renders their civic participation illusory,” SERAP stated.
“The fundamental right to life includes not only the right of every Nigerian not to be deprived of his/her life arbitrarily, but also the right that he/she will not be prevented from having access to the conditions that guarantee a dignified existence,” the letter further explained.
SERAP also noted that the rising poverty and inequality in the country adversely affect the ability of Nigerians to participate in democratic processes, further perpetuating discriminatory practices against the less privileged.
“Persistent increase in petrol prices keeps people in poverty which in turn perpetuates discriminatory attitudes and practices against them,” the letter continued.
SERAP reminded the government of its legal obligation to mobilize available resources to ensure the socio-economic rights of citizens and protect the most disadvantaged members of society.
The letter concluded by urging the government to thoroughly investigate and prosecute allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the oil sector, emphasizing that such actions align with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations.
Citing Section 13 and Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, SERAP emphasized that the government has a clear duty to apply the provisions of Chapter 2, particularly in abolishing corrupt practices within institutions like the NNPC.
Furthermore, Section 16(1) and Section 16(2) of the Constitution impose obligations on the government to secure the welfare and happiness of every citizen and ensure that the nation’s resources serve the common good.
According to the letter, the NNPC recently raised the price of petrol to N855 per liter, with reports of it going above N900 per liter in some areas.
This hike reportedly stems from a supply shortage caused by the refusal of suppliers to import petroleum products for the NNPC due to a $6 billion debt owed to them.
Additionally, the letter mentioned that the NNPC allegedly failed to remit $2.04 billion and N164 billion of oil revenues to the treasury, as documented in the 2020 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
