SERAP sues Tinubu over subsidy savings
The suit followed reports that the federal government had saved N400 billion within four weeks
SERAP sues Tinubu over subsidy savings. The suit followed reports that the federal government had saved N400 billion within the four weeks following the implementation of the removal of the subsidy on petrol.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over the failure to publish spending details of about N400bn so far 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 had saved N400 billion within the four weeks following the implementation of the removal of the subsidy on petrol.
In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1514/2023 filed last week at the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP is seeking: “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 29 May 2023.
SERAP is also seeking 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.
SERAP is also 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.
SERAP is arguing that 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.
SERAP is also arguing that 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.
