Nigerian human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has called for a thorough probe into the alleged “importation scam” surrounding petrol in the country.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Falana emphasized the need to investigate the ongoing issues related to fuel importation.
He criticized the ongoing inquiries in the National Assembly, labelling them as insufficient.
He said, “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 organisations must help to expose the fraud.”
Recent reports have linked a $6 billion debt owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to fuel suppliers as a contributing factor to the worsening petrol scarcity in the country.
In a rare admission, the NNPCL acknowledged on Sunday the “significant debt to petrol suppliers,” warning that this debt threatens the sustainability of fuel supply in Nigeria.
“Once the government begins to speak about affordability and sustainanbility in response to growing queues at filling stations, there are problems,” Falana pointed out.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also criticized the government for a lack of transparency regarding fuel subsidies.
He questioned the logic behind spending “$2.9 billion to fix the refineries” while the dates for their resumption continue to be postponed.
Falana warned that he would take legal action against those responsible for the ongoing delays in the rehabilitation of state-owned refineries if another postponement is announced.
