SERAP sues Tinubu over failure to publish details of N400 billion fuel subsidy savings
SOCIO-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued President Bola Tinubu at the Federal High Court, Lagos, over failure to publish spending details of about N400 billion saved as a result of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol.
The suit followed reports that the Federal Government saved N400 billion within four weeks, following implementation of the policy. In the suit, number FHC/L/CS/1514/2023, filed last week, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel Tinubu to publish details of spending of about N400 billion saved as a result of the removal of subsidy on petrol on May 29, 2023.
The body is also seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel Tinubu to provide details of plans on how the savings would be spent. In the suit, SERAP is arguing that Nigerians have the right to know how the savings are spent. It said disclosing the details would reduce risks of corruption in spending of the funds.
The organisation is arguing that Tinubu’s government has a legal obligation to ensure that savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol are spent solely for the benefit of the 137 million poor Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the policy.
SERAP said opacity in the spending would have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of citizens and the public.
According to SERAP, the savings from subsidy removal may be embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.In the suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Ms Adelanke Aremo, and Ms Valentina Adegoke, the organisation said: “Transparency would increase public trust and confidence that these savings would be used to benefit Nigerians.
“The Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended), Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.
“Prevention of corruption in the spending of savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol and preventing and addressing the challenges caused by the removal are serious and legitimate public interests.” No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.
