IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – No date has been fixed for the hearing of the lawsuit filed by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against President Bola Ahmed 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 has saved N400bn within the four weeks following the implementation of the removal of subsidy on petrol policy.”
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.”
According to SERAP, “the savings from subsidy removal may be embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Ms Adelanke Aremo, and Ms Valentina Adegoke, read in part: “Transparency would increase public trust and confidence that these savings would be used to benefit Nigerians.”
“The Nigerian Constitution, 1999 [as amended], 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.”
“Prevention of corruption in the spending of savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol and preventing and addressing the challenges caused by the removal are serious and legitimate public interests.”
“The Tinubu government has a legal obligation to protect individuals against the threat posed to human rights by the removal of subsidy on petrol, and to effectively address the aftermath of subsidy removal.”
“Unless the government is compelled and directed to publish the spending details of the savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol, the removal will continue to undermine the rights of Nigerians, and increase their vulnerability to poverty.”
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“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 N400bn 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 N400bn saved as a result of the removal of subsidy on petrol, and on the spending of subsequent savings …
[15:28, 06/08/2023] Shuaib: https://voiceofnaija.ng/2023/08/06/resident-doctors-to-embark-on-daily-protests-from-8-august-over-unmet-demands/
[15:30, 06/08/2023] Feyisayo GVE: Police Rescue Man Found With Dead Child From Being Lynched
A man who was assisting his friend to bury his dead child was almost lynched when some residents found the corpse with him, The Punch reports.
The timely intervention of police operatives from the Ilemba-Hausa Division of the Lagos State Command saved the man who found with the dead body of his friend’s child.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the situation to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday.
Hundeyin said that the incident happened on Friday.
He said that the residents were suspicious and took him as a ritual killer, who might have abducted and killed the child.
The image maker said that after some torture by the residents, he was dragged to the Ilemba-Hausa police division.
“Upon interrogation, he told the police that the child had been sick for a while and had just died in the hospital.
“He said he was contracted by the parents to help bury the child. He was on his way to bury the child before he was accosted by some residents who thought he had evil intentions.
“The parents of the deceased child were invited to the station, where they confirmed the man’s claim,” Hundeyin said.
The spokesperson said that the parents of the child and the accused man were released to proceed with the burial of the child.
NAN