Fuel prices Nigeria - The umbrella Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has asked the National Assembly (parliament) to begin moves to remove President Goodluck Jonathan from office, over his administration's withdrawal of fuel subsidy that has sent fuel prices sky-high and led to increase in the cost of goods and services. In a statement, the national body of the country's lawyers said impeachment procedures should commence unless the President reverts to old fuel prices.

The NBA also urged its members to support the indefinite strike called for next week by organized labour over the fuel prices, which have shot up from 65 naira (0.4 cents) per litre to between 141 and 200 naira (between US$0.90 and US$1.3)

In the statement signed by the association's President, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), it expressed regret that “government took advantage of its people’s distress arising from the Christmas bombings and killings by the Boko Haram terrorists and insensitively caused the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (a creature of statute) to announce the withdrawal of petroleum subsidy”.

It said “If government should apply half the vigour with which it has pursued the issue of the removal of subsidy to the eradication of corruption in all the arms of government and in society in general, then trillions of naira would be freed up for developmental projects”.

NBA added: “The minimum position is the immediate reversal of this provocative and uncalled for increment of petrol.”

On the position of the NBA concerning the impending strike, Mr. Daudu said the NBA had been in active consultation with the labour unions and other professional bodies and civil societies.

'For the avoidance of doubt, all members of the NBA shall participate in the nationwide strike commencing on  January 9,  2012.

'The strike shall be comprehensive with all lawyers withdrawing their services from courts and elsewhere except as it is necessary to facilitate the continuation of pressure on government to rescind its actions.' it said.

Pana 06/01/2012