The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued President Bola Tinubu for failing to divulge spending details of around N400 billion saved as a result of the withdrawal of petrol subsidies.
The complaint was filed in response to allegations that the Federal Government saved N400 billion in four weeks after implementing the policy of removing petrol subsidies.
SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus in the suit number FHC/L/CS/1514/2023 filed last week at the Federal High Court in Lagos to direct and compel Tinubu to make public information of how he spent roughly N400 billion saved from the elimination of petrol subsidy as of May 29.
In the suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, Ms Adelanke Aremo, and Ms Valentina Adegoke, the organization sought an order of mandamus compelling President Tinubu to provide details on how the savings from the removal of the petrol subsidy would be spent, including specific projects on which the funds would be spent.
It also sought a mandamus order for President Tinubu to submit data on the processes in place to guarantee that the savings from the subsidy reduction 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. 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.
“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. The savings from subsidy removal may be embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets. Transparency would increase public trust and confidence that these savings would be used to benefit Nigerians.
“The Nigerian Constitution, 1999 Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities…
“The implementation of the National Social Safety Net Programme (NASSP) and spending on the programme have been mostly shrouded in secrecy.
“Publishing the details of the spending of the N400 billion and other savings from the removal of subsidy would also ensure that persons with public responsibilities are answerable to the people for the performance of their duties.
“Transparency and accountability in the spending details of the N400 billion saved as a result of the removal of subsidy on petrol, and on the spending of subsequent savings from the removal would mean that the savings can help poor Nigerians to overcome the effects of such removal.
“It would also help to avoid a morally repugnant result of double jeopardy on poor and socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians.”
The suit’s hearing date has not been set.
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