It's illegal for NNPLC to fix fuel prices, Falana reacts to latest hike

<p>Falana insisted that NNPCL doesn't have the Constitutional powers to fix petrol prices.</p>, <span>A photo combination of Femi Falana and a fuel pump nozzle. ChannelsTV</span>, <h2>Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has berated the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the latest upward review of pump price of petrol from around ₦500 to ₦617 per litre.</h2>, <p>Nigerians woke up to another hike in prices of petrol, otherwise known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, following an initial jump in price caused by the removal of subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on his inauguration day.</p>, <p>Though many Nigerians quickly pointed fingers at the NNPCL for the overnight price increase, the company, through its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, dispelled such suggestions by attributing the price fluctuation to market forces.</p>, <p>Reacting to the development on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, Falana insisted that NNPCL was responsible for fixing the new pump price, an act he described as illegal and contemptuous.</p>, <p>The human rights lawyer noted in a statement that Tinubu, in his inaugural address in May, announced that his administration would govern the country following the rule of law.</p>, <p>He also called attention to a Federal High Court judgement which held that by the combined effect of the Petroleum Act, Price Control Act and the Constitution the Federal Government “must always fix the price of petroleum products sold across Nigeria.”</p>, <p>Falana said, dissatisfied with the judgement, the Federal Government filed an appeal to the Appellate Court.</p>, <p>“Even though the appeal has not been determined the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited has usurped the power of the Federal Government to determine and fix the prices of petroleum products in the country,” said the SAN.</p>, <p>“It is undoubtedly clear that the action of the NNPCL is illegal and contemptuous since the judgment of the Federal High Court on the subject matter has not asi