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A human rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, over alleged failure to publish the spending details of about N400bn so far saved due to the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol.
SERAP's suit is coming following reports that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has saved N400bn within the four weeks following the implementation of the removal of subsidy on petrol policy.
According to the legal action designated FHC/L/CS/1514/2023, SERAP is praying for an order of mandamus to direct and compel President 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 group is also asking the court for an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Tinubu to provide details of the plans on how the savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol, including specific projects on which the funds would be spent.
Furthermore, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to compel President Tinubu to provide details of the mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure that the savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol are not diverted into private pockets.
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that “Nigerians have the right to know how the savings are spent. Disclosing the spending details of the savings would reduce the risks of corruption in the spending of the funds.
“The Tinubu government has a legal obligation to ensure that the 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 removal.
“Opacity in the spending of the savings from subsidy removal would have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens and the public interest”.
The savings from the subsidy, according to SERAP through its counsel, Kolawole Oluwadare, may be embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets, with an addition that transparency would increase public trust and confidence that these savings would be used to benefit Nigerians.
According to SERAP, "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.
“The Tinubu government has a legal obligation to protect individuals against the threat posed to human rights by the removal of subsidy on petrol, and to effectively address the aftermath of subsidy removal”.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
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