SERAP not intimidated by FG’s actions, says deputy director

The Deputy Director of the Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project, Kolawole Dare, has said that it will not be intimidated by the Federal Government’s actions and will file a public interest lawsuit at the Federal High Court to compel President Bola Tinubu to comply with its request to direct the reversal of the fuel pump price and probe allegations of corruption against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The deputy director stated this to our correspondent on Wednesday, following Department of State Services officers’ invasion of SERAP’s Abuja office on Monday.

Recall that on Sunday, the organisation, in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, to immediately reverse the recent hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol.

The group had also asked the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and other relevant agencies to probe allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the NNPCL.

“We would appreciate it if the recommended measures were implemented within 48 hours of receiving or publishing this letter. If we do not receive a response by then, SERAP will consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.

“Your government is legally obligated to investigate and prosecute allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the NNPCL and to ensure justice and effective remedies for victims of corruption. Investigating and prosecuting these allegations would align with both the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations.

“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] mandates your government to conform to, observe, and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the Constitution. Section 15(5) requires your government to ‘abolish all corrupt practices,’ including those within the NNPCL.

“According to our information, the NNPCL recently increased the price of petrol from about N600 per litre to N855 per litre, with some instances exceeding N900 per litre. This apparent unlawful increase followed a reported refusal by suppliers to import petroleum products due to a $6 billion debt.

Barely 24 hours later, SERAP raised the alarm of the raid on its office on its official X handle on Monday while calling on President Tinubu to intervene.

“President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians,” the X post partly read.

While the DSS has clarified that its officers were detailed to the organisation’s office for “routine investigation,” Kolawole said SERAP was committed to using legal advocacy to promote good governance in Nigeria, adding that the organisation will continue to resist attempts to restrict, silence or eliminate the voices of credible civil society in the country.

“The invasion of SERAP’s office followed our recent call on Mr Tinubu and his government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to immediately reverse the unconstitutional increase in the pump price of petrol and to ensure the prompt and thorough investigation of alleged corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC Ltd.”

“SERAP will take the appropriate legal action, including filing a public interest lawsuit at the Federal High Court, to compel the President to comply with our request in line with the Constitution.

“We are not intimidated by the actions of the government, including the invasion of our office by the DSS. SERAP is fully committed to its mandate to use legal advocacy to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria. SERAP will continue to work to challenge any attempt to restrict, silence, or eliminate the voices of credible civil society in the country,” he said.