Nigerian lawyer and human rights advocate, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticized the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for setting fuel prices, deeming the action illegal, null, and void. In a statement released on Thursday, Falana argued that NNPCL's decision to fix prices for both imported and locally refined fuel violates Section 205 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Falana pointed out that Section 205 of the PIA mandates that fuel prices should be determined by market forces, not by the NNPCL. He cited a statement made on September 5, 2024, by NNPC's Executive Vice President of Downstream, Mr. Adedapo Segun, who acknowledged that fuel prices in Nigeria are meant to be driven by free market forces, with the exchange rate playing a significant role in price determination.

However, Falana noted that contrary to this public declaration, the NNPCL unilaterally set the price of fuel refined by the Dangote Refinery last month, disregarding the role of market forces. He accused the company of repeatedly violating the laws that govern its operations by fixing prices, which should have been determined through market competition.

Falana further criticized NNPCL's recent announcement of new pump prices for fuel from the Dangote Refinery, highlighting that once again, market forces were not allowed to dictate the pricing. This comes amid an ongoing dispute between NNPCL and Dangote Refinery over fuel pricing, a matter in which the Federal Government has stated it will not intervene.