Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called for an investigation into the “importation scam” surrounding petrol in Nigeria. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Falana emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue.
“It is high time the importation scam was investigated,” he stated. “I’m not referring to the superficial inquiries happening in the National Assembly. The media and civil society organizations must step up to expose this fraud.”
Recent reports indicate that a $6 billion debt owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to petrol suppliers has exacerbated the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country. On Sunday, the NNPCL acknowledged this “significant debt,” admitting that it threatens the sustainability of fuel supply.
Falana warned that when the government starts discussing “affordability and sustainability” in response to increasing queues at filling stations, it signals deeper problems. He criticized the lack of transparency from the government regarding petrol subsidies, asserting that “there is no full disclosure.”
He also questioned the rationale behind spending “$2.9 billion to fix the refineries,” noting that the dates for resuming production at these facilities have repeatedly been postponed. Falana threatened legal action against those responsible if another delay is announced.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) recently highlighted the challenges faced by petrol marketers. According to IPMAN National Operations Controller Zarama Mustapha, the landing cost of petrol now exceeds ₦1,200 per litre, excluding marketers’ margins, transportation, and other logistics. He noted that NNPCL sells to marketers at around ₦565 per litre, implying a subsidy of nearly ₦600 to ₦700 per litre. “Whether government officials admit it or not, the reality on the ground shows there is some form of under-recovery,” Mustapha said.