Falana demands immediate investigation of petrol importation scam

O One of Nigeria’s popular human rights lawyers, Femi Falana, has called for a prompt investigation into the Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) scam, citing urgent need for action. On Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Falana emphasized that the current moment is crucial for probing the fraud.

The call comes amid reports of a $6 billion debt owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to petrol suppliers, which has worsened petrol shortages across Nigeria. On Sunday, the NNPCL admitted its substantial debt, warning that it jeopardizes fuel supply sustainability.

“It is high time the importation scam was investigated. I am not talking of the joke that is going on in the National Assembly. The media must help civil society organizations to expose the fraud,” Falana asserted.

“Once the government begins to speak about affordability and sustainability in response to growing queues at filling stations, there are problems.”

Falana also criticized the government's lack of transparency regarding petrol subsidies, pointing out that Nigeria’s plan to spend “$2.9bn to fix the refineries” is undermined by continual delays in resuming refinery production. He warned of potential legal action against those responsible for further postponements.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has reported that the current landing cost per litre of petrol is making it impossible for marketers to import the fuel, a situation worsened by the NNPCL’s actions.