In a ruling delivered yesterday, a Federal High Court in Lagos mandated the federal government to set prices for essential commodities including petrol, diesel, kerosene, milk, flour, salt, sugar, bicycles, matches, motorcycles, motor vehicles, and petroleum products within seven days starting from February 7, 2024.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, presiding over the case brought by rights activist Femi Falana, SAN, against the Price Control Board and the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, directed the government to take action on price control for the mentioned goods.
Responding to the verdict, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, stated that the government would review the court’s decision and take steps beneficial to the citizens and the nation as a whole.
Falana’s lawsuit sought clarity on whether the government was fulfilling its obligation under Section 4 of the Price Control Act to regulate the prices of various essential items. He demanded that the court compel the government to fix the prices within seven days.
During the hearing, Falana highlighted the legal basis for the motion and informed the court that the defendants had been duly served but failed to respond.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa, noting the lack of response from the defendants, granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff in accordance with the law.