Fuel Price Case; High Court To Decide On Monday

Following a ruling by an Accra High Court presided over by His Lordship Patrick Baayeh that the current fuel prices being paid by consumers in Ghana are illegal, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has filed a motion to set aside the court's default judgement.

In addition to ordering the NPA to reduce fuel prices by the illegal ex-refinery differential, the Court also ordered NPA and TOR to disclose publicly the full amount realised from the illegal pricing of fuel since 5th June 2009 and pay same into the Consolidated Fund.

From Development Data's calculation, the total amount accrued from the ex-refinery differential between the 5th of June 2009 and the 22nd of July 2010 (that is yesterday) comes to GH¢681.27 million. This is also twice the amount of money (GH¢340.05 million)realised from petroleum taxes over the same period.

In its motion to set aside the judgement, the NPA among other arguments, concedes charging the ex-refinery differential but argues that the money was (and is being) used for good purposes.

The case will be heard in the Accra High Court 11 (Cocoa Affairs Courts) at or around 9.00 am on Monday, the 26th of July 2010.