Crime & Court
Court Directs FG: Fix Prices of Goods, Petroleum in 7 Days
The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday directed the Federal Government to address the pricing of goods and petroleum products within the next seven days.
The order, granted by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, stemmed from an originating motion presented by the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana.
Falana’s legal challenge targeted the Price Control Board and the Attorney General of the Federation, both named as defendants.
The court is tasked with determining whether the first defendant, by Section 4(1) of the Price Control Act (2004), is fulfilling its duty to set prices for specified goods outlined in the First Schedule to the Price Control Act.
Supporting his summons with an affidavit, Falana’s legal team, led by Taiwo Olawanle, highlighted a range of commodities, including bicycles and spare parts, flour, matches, milk, motorcycles and their spare parts, motor vehicles and salt, sugar, and petroleum products (diesel, petrol, motor spirit, and kerosene) listed in the Price Control Act.
The affidavit underscored the Price Control Board’s authority conferred by the Act to regulate prices across this diverse array of commodities.
“That though the price of the commodities is supposed to be fixed by the Board, the only petroleum products that are fixed to a certain amount are not being enforced.
“That the price of a bag of rice which was formerly N8,000 has risen to N45,000 in the market and that the situation in the market is by each passing day becoming more unbearable for consumers as prices of goods keep rising on a daily basis.
“Sellers are not always sincere as they are so desperate to make excessive profits at the expense of buyers.
“Food prices which human beings should not be deprived of are on the high side due to a lack of price fixing by the Ist Defendant.
“That buyers are at the receiving end when the prices of goods are increased as they tend to suffer for it more.
“That the increase in the price of goods has forced various categories of eateries and canteens to increase the prices of their meals, attributing the high cost to unstable and unfavorable prices of farm produce.
“That there is a need for the 1st defendant to rise to its task of imposing prices on these commodities
“That unless the defendants are mandated by the court to wake up to their responsibilities, the prices of goods will continue to skyrocket.”
The Senior Advocate consequently sought the following reliefs from the court:
“A declaration that by Section 4 of the Price Control Act Cap, the defendants are under a legal obligation to fix the prices of bicycles and spare parts; flour; matches; milk; motorcycles and spare parts; motor vehicles and spare parts; salt; sugar and petroleum products including diesel, petrol motor spirit, and kerosene.
“A declaration that the failure or refusal of the Defendants to fix the prices of bicycles and spare parts; flour; matches; milk; motorcycles and spare parts; motor vehicles and spare parts; salt; sugar and petroleum products including diesel, petrol motor spirit, and kerosene are illegal as it offends the provision of Section 4 of the Price Control Act, Cap…., Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“An order directing the defendants to fix the prices of bicycles and spare parts; flour; matches; milk; motorcycles and spare parts; motor vehicles and spare parts; salt; sugar and petroleum products including diesel, petrol motor spirit, and kerosene not later than 7 days after the delivery of the Judgment of this Honourable Court.”
After hearing from the senior advocate, Justice Lewis-Allagoa stated, “I have listened to the applicant, Femi Falana, and I have also noted that despite the service of the originating motion on the respondents, namely the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Price Control Board, there’s no opposition to it by way of a counter affidavit. In law, this means that all the facts deposed in the affidavit attached to the originating motion are deemed admitted.
Consequently, all prayers sought in the motion papers are hereby granted as prayed.”
The judge then directed the Nigerian government to set the prices for 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, which include diesel, petrol motor spirit (PMS), and kerosene.
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has granted human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, bail to the tune of ₦30 million. The court also mandated Farotimi to provide three sureties with landed properties within its jurisdiction.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Farotimi to refrain from granting media interviews and to submit his international passport to the authorities. The case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025, for further proceedings.
Farotimi, who had been remanded at a correctional center in Ado Ekiti, arrived at the court premises on Friday at approximately 9:45 a.m. He was conveyed in a prison van accompanied by a police escort. Upon arrival, the embattled lawyer raised his hands in appreciation of a cheering crowd that had gathered outside the court to show their solidarity.
The human rights advocate is facing prosecution for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola. His arrest has ignited widespread public outcry, with many Nigerians and civil society groups condemning the action and demanding his immediate release.
Farotimi’s detention and subsequent arraignment have fueled debates about the boundaries of free speech and defamation laws in Nigeria, with critics arguing that the case may stifle dissenting voices in the country.
Police operatives have apprehended a 25-year-old man, Enediong Bassey, in possession of a pump-action gun concealed in a bag of rice at Nkwelle-Ezunaka.
The suspect, a native of Ikono Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, was arrested on November 22, 2024, at 6:38 pm following credible intelligence.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
The statement revealed that officers attached to the 3-3 Divisional Headquarters, led by CSP Emeka Obi, acted swiftly to intercept Bassey.
During interrogation, he admitted to being a member of a local vigilante group but confessed to plans of absconding with the weapon to join a criminal gang involved in armed robbery and other illicit activities.
“Given the above and following other complaints and unprofessional conduct by some security outfits and vigilante members, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, in line with the principles of community policing, reiterates the calls for profiling of security operatives assisting the police and other security agencies on anti-crime operations to improve safety in the state,” the statement read.
In light of the situation, the Commissioner of Police has directed the immediate transfer of the suspect to the command’s anti-robbery squad for a thorough investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command reassured residents of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property, urging vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement.
Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an accelerated trial of four bloggers accused of defaming and cyberstalking the management of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), including its Group CEO, Mr. Segun Agbaje.
The defendants—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—face a 10-count amended charge for allegedly publishing false and defamatory content about GTCO on various social media platforms.
During proceedings on November 13 and 14, Justice Faji dismissed their bail applications, citing the severity of the charges, which carry potential penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
The judge specifically noted that Precious Eze had previously been charged with a similar offense in another court and was on bail at the time of the alleged actions, demonstrating a likelihood of reoffending.
Justice Faji emphasized the destabilizing impact such actions could have on the banking sector, pointing to the cross-border nature of some of the allegations.
“The regulatory oversight of institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should not be undermined by false claims,” the judge remarked, referencing GTCO’s CBN-approved audited statements.
At the previous hearing, defense counsel Afolabi Adeniyi had urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing that the defendants were ready to stand trial.
However, the prosecution counsel, Chief Aribisala, SAN, opposed the motion, raising concerns about the defendants potentially absconding and stressing the need for a swift trial.
In his ruling, Justice Faji rejected the defense’s plea, ordering an expedited trial to address the case’s significant implications for the financial industry.
The trial has been adjourned to December 10 and 12 for continuation.
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