Martins Owoseni
Abuja – Operatives of Nigeria’s secret police the Department of State Services (DSS) have invaded the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, the civil rights organisation said.
The officers were reportedly asking to see the rights group’s directors.
“Officers from Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) are presently unlawfully occupying SERAP’s office in Abuja, asking to see our directors, SERAP wrote on X on Monday.
“President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation, and attack on the rights of Nigerians.”
SERAP had on Sunday, urged the president to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
According to SERAP, they include the spending of the reported $300 million ‘bailout funds’ collected from the federal government in August 2024, and the $6 billion debt it owed suppliers, despite allegedly failing to remit oil revenues to the treasury.
It demanded the immediate reversal of the “illegal and unconstitutional” hike in the pump price of petrol.
In an open letter by the Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said the increase in petrol price constituted a fundamental breach of constitutional guarantees and the country’s international human rights obligations.
“Rather than pursuing public policies to address the growing poverty and inequality in the country and holding the NNPC to account for the alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector, your government seems to be punishing the poor,” said the letter.
“The increase in petrol price has rendered already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their minimum survival needs.
“The increase is not inevitable, as it stems from the persistent failure of successive governments to address allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector and the impunity of suspected perpetrators.
“Corruption in the oil sector and the lack of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds to support the operations of the NNPC have resulted in persistent and unlawful hike in petrol prices.
“Holding the NNPC to account for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector would serve legitimate public interests.
“The increase is causing immense hardship to those less well-off. We are concerned that as the economic situation in Nigeria deteriorates, the increase in petrol price is pushing people further into poverty.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.
“Increasing petrol prices at a time when millions of Nigerians continue to face worsening economic conditions is entirely inconsistent with your government’s constitutional and international obligations to ensure the minimum living conditions compatible with human dignity.
“The arbitrary increase has placed a disproportionate burden on the marginalized and most vulnerable sectors of society, particularly those disadvantaged by poverty.
“The increase is seriously jeopardizing their living conditions, well as individuals’ physical, emotional, and individual development, and intensifying and worsening socioeconomic conditions in the country.”
“Your government has a legal obligation to mobilize the maximum of the country’s available resources to ensure people’s socio-economic rights and to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Nigerians.
“Your government also has the legal obligations to probe and prosecute allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC, and to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims of corruption.
“Investigating and prosecuting allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations.”