A Federal High Court in Lagos has directed the Federal Government to establish the prices of goods and petroleum products within seven days starting from today.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa issued the order after considering an originating motion presented and argued by the applicant and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).
“I have reviewed the application filed by Femi Falana in suit no FHC/L/CS/869/2023 and have noted that despite serving the originating motion to the respondents, namely, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Price Control Board, there has been no opposition in the form of a counter affidavit,” the judge stated.
“In accordance with the law, all the facts presented in the affidavit attached to the originating motion are deemed admitted. Consequently, all prayers requested in the motion papers are granted as prayed,” declared the judge.
The judge mandated the Nigerian government to set the prices of goods of various items, including milk, flour, salt, sugar, bicycles and their spare parts, matches, motorcycles and their spare parts, motor vehicles and their spare parts, as well as Petroleum Products such as diesel, petrol motor spirit (PMS), and kerosene.
Falana (SAN) had approached the court seeking clarification on several issues, including whether the Federal Government is fulfilling its duty to impose prices on specified goods under Section 4 of the Price Control Act.
Prices of goods
The applicant also requested declarations affirming the legal obligation of the defendants to fix the prices of certain items and sought an order directing them to establish the prices within seven days after the court’s judgment.
Source: guardian.ng
