₦airaland Forum

SERAP said, "Suspected perpetrators of alleged corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any proceeds of corruption should be fully recovered."

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to use his "leadership position and good offices to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately reverse the apparently illegal and unconstitutional increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets".

SERAP urged him to "direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies "to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC, including the spending of the reported $300 million 'bailout funds' collected from the Federal Government in August 2024, and the $6 billion debt it owes suppliers, despite allegedly failing to remit oil revenues to the treasury."

SERAP said, "Suspected perpetrators of alleged corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any proceeds of corruption should be fully recovered."

In an open letter dated 7 September 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: "The increase in petrol price constitutes a fundamental breach of constitutional guarantees and the country's international human rights obligations.

"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."

The letter further reads: "Rather than pursuing public policies to address the growing poverty and inequality in the country, and holding the NNPC to account for the alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector, your government seems to be punishing the poor.

"The increase in petrol price has rendered already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their minimum needs for survival.

"The increase is not inevitable, as it stems from the persistent failure of successive governments to address allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector and the impunity of suspected perpetrators.

"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.

"Holding the NNPC to account for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector would serve legitimate public interests.

"The increase is causing immense hardship to those less well-off. We are concerned that as the economic situation in Nigeria deteriorates, the increase in petrol price is pushing people further into poverty.

"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."

SERAP noted that the “government has a legal obligation to mobilize the maximum of the country's available resources to ensure people's socio-economic rights and to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Nigerians".

"Your government also has the legal obligations to probe and prosecute allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC, and to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims of corruption," it said.

"Investigating and prosecuting allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution, and the country's international anti-corruption obligations."

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited recently increased the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets.

SERAP said, "The price of the product increased to N855 per litre, from about N600, and in some instances above N900 per litre. The apparently unlawful increase in petrol price followed a scarcity caused by the reported refusal by suppliers to import petroleum products for the NNPCL over a $6 billion debt.

"The NNPC reportedly failed to remit USD$2.04 billion and N164 billion of oil revenues into the public treasury, as documented in the recently published 2020 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation."

Antoeni:
After abusing Peter Obi and teaching him a lesson:

...Many of them have sold their cars
...Many cannot pay their rent
...Many are drinking roots and agbo because they cannot afford medicines
...Many cannot afford fuel
...Many have gone into involuntary exercise due to the high cost of transportation
...Japa has become exclusive privilege of the rich
...The cost of an Android phone is now the same amount for Corolla 2005 before Tinubu
...Yam and garri for market how far
...It is our turn. No one is exempted

Tribalism is a seed with multi facet and multi dimensional yield. The results of bad governance don't respect tribe or religion

Realdeals:
Government have no business fixing Petrol prices, that is the reality we Nigerians are finding difficult to come to terms with.

JASONjnr:
SERAP should just shut up first because the moment they receive their own pay we will not hear from them anymore.

All other groups of the government that was created to speak for the masses are there paying workers salaries while doing nothing. And if they ever try to speak up, they fold up immediately. Ask VON and the Human rights commission.

Antoeni:
After abusing Peter Obi and teaching him a lesson:

...Many of them have sold their cars
...Many cannot pay their rent
...Many are drinking roots and agbo because they cannot afford medicines
...Many cannot afford fuel
...Many have gone into involuntary exercise due to the high cost of transportation
...Japa has become exclusive privilege of the rich
...The cost of an Android phone is now the same amount for Corolla 2005 before Tinubu
...Yam and garri for market how far
...It is our turn. No one is exempted

Tribalism is a seed with multi facet and multi dimensional yield. The results of bad governance don't respect tribe or religion

Realdeals:
Government have no business fixing Petrol prices, that is the reality we Nigerians are finding difficult to come to terms with.