Court orders FG to fix prices of essential goods within seven days

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday has mandated the Federal Government to regulate the prices of goods and petroleum products within seven days, stated Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa.

The order followed an application by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, who argued that the Price Control Board was neglecting its duty to set prices.

Falana emphasized the impact of skyrocketing prices on consumers and the need for government intervention.

In his affidavit, Falana highlighted various essential commodities affected by price hikes, including bicycles, flour, matches, milk, motorcycles, motor vehicles, salt, sugar, diesel, petrol, and kerosene.

He underscored the Board’s authority to regulate these prices and lamented its failure to do so effectively. The affidavit also noted the adverse effects on consumers, such as inflated food prices and increased costs for eateries.

Seeking legal recourse, Falana requested the court to compel the government to fulfill its obligation under the Price Control Act.

Specifically, he sought declarations affirming the government’s duty to set prices and condemning its failure to do so.

Additionally, he urged the court to issue an order directing the government to act within seven days.

In response, Justice Lewis-Allagoa acknowledged the lack of opposition from the defendants and deemed the facts presented in Falana’s affidavit as admitted.

Consequently, he granted all the prayers sought in the application.

The judge directed the Nigerian government to regulate the prices of milk, flour, salt, sugar, bicycles, matches, motorcycles, motor vehicles, and petroleum products promptly.