The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued President Bola Tinubu for not reversing the recent hike in petrol prices. The group is asking the court to compel President Tinubu to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to lower the price of petrol from ₦845 to ₦600 per litre. SERAP argues that the price increase is illegal, unreasonable, and violates the Nigerian Constitution.

In addition to calling for the price reduction, SERAP is urging the government to investigate the NNPCL for alleged corruption and mismanagement. They are concerned about the company’s use of $300 million in bailout funds and a $6 billion debt to suppliers. SERAP believes that holding the NNPCL accountable for these issues would serve the public interest and help resolve Nigeria’s ongoing fuel price crisis.

The group also highlights how the petrol price hike is causing immense hardship for Nigerians, especially those living in poverty. They argue that the government’s failure to address corruption in the oil sector is worsening the economic situation and pushing more people into poverty.

SERAP insists that the Nigerian government has a legal obligation to protect the rights of its citizens and ensure that national resources, like oil revenues, are used for the common good. The lawsuit emphasizes that without proper action, the rising petrol prices will continue to harm the most vulnerable people in the country.

No date has been set for the hearing, but this legal move by SERAP is an important step in challenging the government’s handling of fuel prices and alleged corruption in the oil industry.