Court orders FG to fix prices of goods, petroleum products
By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, February 7, mandated the federal government to regulate the prices of essential goods and petroleum products within a span of seven days.
The presiding judge, Justice Ambose Lewis-Allagoa, issued the directive following an originating motion presented and argued by prominent human rights activist, Femi Falana SAN.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa underscored the significance of the case, highlighting the absence of opposition from the respondents, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Price Control Board.
“I have had the applicant Femi Falana in a suit no San,FHC/L/CS/869/2023 and I have also discovered that despite the service of the Originating motion on the respondents namely Attorney-General of the Federation and the Price Control Board, no opposition to it by way of counter affidavit, which is law that all the facts deposed in the affidavit attached to the originating motion are all deemed admitted,” stated Justice Lewis-Allagoa.
“Consequently, all prayers that are sought for in the motion papers are hereby granted as prayed.”
The court’s ruling directs the Nigerian government to set fixed prices for a range of commodities, including 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 such as diesel, petrol motor spirit (PMS), and kerosene.
This landmark decision marks a significant step towards addressing concerns over escalating prices of essential goods and ensuring greater stability in the country’s economy.
It remains to be seen how the government will implement and enforce these mandated price regulations within the stipulated timeframe.