The Federal High Court in Lagos has directed the Federal Government to set the prices of goods and petroleum products within a seven-day period. 

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa issued the specific order, mandating the government to fix the prices of essential commodities, including milk, flour, salt, sugar, bicycles and their spare parts, matches, motorcycles and their spare parts, motor vehicles and their spare parts, as well as petroleum products such as diesel, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and kerosene.

The ruling came in response to a suit filed by human rights activist Mr. Femi Falana, identified as suit No FHC/L/CS/869/2023, against the Price Control Board and the Attorney-General of the Federation, listed as the first and second defendants. 

Falana sought the court’s intervention to determine whether the Price Control Board, by virtue of Section 4 of the Price Control Act, was fulfilling its duty to impose price controls on specified goods.

During the hearing on Wednesday, Falana informed the court that the motion on notice was based on Section 4(1) of the Price Control Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. He further revealed that despite being served with the necessary legal documents since May 2023, the defendants failed to respond or provide a counter argument.

Consequently, Falana urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought, citing the lack of response from the defendants. Justice Lewis-Allagoa, after considering Falana’s submission, noted the absence of any counter from the respondents. 

Drawing from precedent cases, the judge ruled in favor of Falana, stating, “all the reliefs contained in the motion paper are hereby granted as prayed.”