Federal High Court Orders Government to Set Prices of Fuel and Goods Within Seven Days
In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court in Lagos has directed the federal government to establish fixed prices for goods and petroleum products within seven days. This decision, issued by Justice Ambose Lewis-Allagoa, follows an originating motion filed by renowned human rights activist Femi Falana SAN.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted the order after considering the arguments presented by Falana, noting the absence of opposition from the respondents, namely the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Price Control Board. The judge emphasized that all facts presented in the motion are deemed admitted due to the lack of a counter affidavit.
As per the court’s directive, the Nigerian government is required to set prices for essential goods such as milk, flour, salt, sugar, bicycles and spare parts, matches, motorcycles and their spare parts, motor vehicles and their spare parts, as well as petroleum products including diesel, petrol motor spirit (PMS), and kerosene.
Falana’s legal challenge sought clarity on the government’s obligation under Section 4 of the Price Control Act to impose price controls on specified goods. The court affirmed that the government is legally obligated to fix prices for a range of commodities, and failure to do so constitutes a violation of the law.
The court’s order mandates the government to comply with the directive within seven days from the delivery of the judgment. This decision marks a significant step towards ensuring fair pricing and protecting consumers from arbitrary price hikes.
Falana’s advocacy for price regulation reflects a commitment to promoting social justice and accountability in governance. The court’s ruling underscores the importance of upholding legal obligations to safeguard the economic well-being of citizens and maintain market stability.
As the government prepares to implement the court’s directive, stakeholders anticipate a swift and effective response to address concerns related to price stability and consumer protection.
