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NDI commends Justice Bello and Bamidele Aturu on landmark court judgement on deregulation

By on March 20, 2013

The National Development Initiative (NDi), a non-state and independent think tank on policy and strategic development wishes to commend Justice M. Bello of the Abuja High Court and Mr. Bamidele Aturu over the landmark judgement that exposed for the first time the flagrant violation of constitutional protections accorded the Nigerian people for their economic well-being and safety as contained in Chapter 2 of the Nigerian constitution.

The core issue or what could be described as the fundamental theme of Aturu’s challenge was Section 16(1) (b) of the Nigerian constitution (under Chapter 2) which has been grossly violated by successive governments, a violation that has now peaked under the current government. That they misunderstand entirely the concept of deregulation is no longer news. That they equate deregulation to automatic increase in product prices is no longer news. That they lack the sound technical capacity to bring deregulation about in a manner that will lead to economic rejuvenation of Nigerians is no longer news. That the Jonathan government understands deregulation as the equivalent of super enrichment of a few via sales of the people’s commonwealth and through a system of selective allocation of licenses for petroleum marketing is no longer news. That they lack the required “service to the people” mentality to drive deregulation successfully is no longer news. That they also lack the moral uprightness and patriotism required to execute the type of deregulation that can lead to micro economic rejuvenation, job creation and economic abundance is not in doubt. What is news is that Justice Bello would depart from tradition, assume jurisdiction as well as correctly interpret Chapter 2 of the constitution in a manner that renders the landmine of non-justiciability a non-issue.

This is the news. We give kudos to Justice Bello and Bamidele Aturu.