On Wednesday, February 7, the Federal High Court, situated in Ikoyi, Lagos, issued a directive for the federal government to regulate the prices of goods and petroleum products within seven days.
Justice Ambose Lewis-Allagoa granted the order following an originating motion presented and argued by Femi Falana SAN, a human rights activist. Noting the absence of opposition from the respondents, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Price Control Board, the judge deemed all facts in the affidavit attached to the originating motion as admitted.
Consequently, the judge granted all prayers sought in the motion papers.
The court instructed the Nigerian government to set prices for items such as 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 including diesel, petrol (motor spirit), and kerosene.
Falana (SAN) sought various declarations and orders from the court, including whether the defendants are obligated by law to fix prices for specified goods according to Section 4 of the Price Control Act. He also requested an order directing the defendants to set prices for the listed items within seven days of the court’s judgment.
