Federal High Court Orders Federal Government to Set Prices of Goods Within Seven Days
In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a directive to the Federal Government to establish prices for various goods and petroleum products within a period of seven days. The order, handed down by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, encompasses a range of essential commodities including milk, flour, salt, sugar, bicycles, spare parts, matches, motorcycles, motor vehicles, and petroleum products such as diesel, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and kerosene.
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit, filed as suit No FHC/L/CS/869/2023, by human rights activist Mr. Femi Falana against the Price Control Board and the Attorney-General of the Federation. Falana's legal action sought clarification on whether the Price Control Act empowers the government to set prices for goods specified in its First Schedule.
"A declaration that the failure or refusal of the respondents 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 is illegal as it offends the provision of Section 4 of the Price Control Act, Cap., Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004," Falana asserted.
During the hearing, Falana emphasized that the motion was based on Section 4 (1) of the Price Control Act and highlighted that the defendants had been duly served with the legal documents since May 2023 but had not filed any response.
In light of the defendants' failure to provide a counter argument, Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff. This landmark decision underscores the court's commitment to upholding legal provisions aimed at regulating prices and ensuring consumer protection.
The ruling has significant implications for the government's economic policies and regulatory framework, particularly in addressing issues of affordability, market stability, and consumer welfare. As stakeholders await the government's response to comply with the court's directive, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching effects on price regulation and consumer rights in Nigeria.
