In a groundbreaking ruling, the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos has directed the Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, to establish fixed prices for a range of essential goods and petroleum products within the next seven days. The decision came in response to an originating motion presented and argued by Femi Falana, a renowned human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Justice Ambose Lewis-Allagoa, who presided over the case, emphasized the lack of opposition from the respondents, namely the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Price Control Board, noting that all the facts presented in the affidavit attached to the originating motion are deemed admitted due to the absence of a counter affidavit. As a result, the court granted all the prayers sought for in the motion papers without opposition.
The court’s order mandates the Nigerian government to set prices for a range of essential goods, including milk, flour, salt, sugar, bicycles and spare parts, matches, motorcycles and spare parts, motor vehicles and spare parts, as well as petroleum products such as diesel, petrol motor spirit (PMS), and kerosene. This ruling is poised to have far-reaching implications for both consumers and businesses across the nation.
