Dangote Refinery vs NNPCL: Court adjourn case to March 18

Justice Inyang Ekwo has on Wednesday adjourned the case between Dangote Refinery and Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL to March 18, 2025.

It would be recalled that Dangote Refinery, in its suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, through it’s Counsel, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), is challenging the issuance of licence for the importation of refined petroleum products to the NNPC and oil marketers by the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

On the preliminary objection filed by the NNPCL, seeking the dismissal of the N100bn lawsuit by the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, Justice Ekwo during the Wednesday proceedings after listening 5o both parties, adjourned the suit to March 18, to give her judgement.

National Beam gathered that the defendants listed in the case apart from NNPCL and the NMDPRA are AYM Shafa Limited; A.A. Rano Limited; T. Time Petroleum Limited; 2015 Petroleum Limited; and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.

We further learnt that the Dangote Refinery, is praying the court to nullify import licences issued by NMDPRA to NNPCL and the five other companies for importing refined petroleum products.

“The plaintiff also sought a declaration that NMDPRA violated Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act by issuing licences to import petroleum products, arguing that such licences should only be issued in cases of a petroleum product shortfall.

“The company further sought N100bn in damages against NMDPRA for allegedly continuing to issue import licences to NNPCL and the other companies, among other reliefs.

“In response to the suit, AYM Shafa Limited, A.A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited filed counter-affidavits, urging the court to dismiss the suit.

“They argued that Dangote Refinery was not entitled to the reliefs sought and that its current production did not meet the national daily petroleum product sufficiency required.

“They argued that granting the request of the refinery would amount to monopolisation, stating that the NMDPRA was mandated to promote competition and prevent abuse of dominant market positions or monopolies in the oil sector.

“They also argued that monopolising the sector would harm the economy, maintaining that the import licences issued to them were lawful and in compliance with the PIA, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, and other relevant laws.”