The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in the N100 billion lawsuit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
According to Nairametrics, Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled in favour of Dangote Refinery, allowing the case to proceed.
The refinery is challenging the issuance of import licences to NNPCL, Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A.A. Rano Limited, and others, arguing that it already produces sufficient refined petroleum products for Nigeria.
Dangote Refinery claims that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) violated the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing licences without proving a supply shortfall.
The refinery is also seeking N100 billion in damages from NMDPRA for allegedly failing to restrict import licences to situations where there is a proven shortfall in local supply. It claimed that NMDPRA’s actions undermined local refining efforts and breached Sections 317(8) and (9) of the PIA.
NNPCL opposed the suit, contending that Dangote Refinery lacked the legal standing to challenge import permits and had incorrectly named the company in its filing. However, the court dismissed NNPCL’s objections, ruling that jurisdictional concerns should be addressed during the final judgement.
Additionally, the judge granted Dangote Refinery’s request to amend its suit. This decision paves the way for a full hearing on the refinery’s claims, which could significantly impact Nigeria’s petroleum industry and local refining policies.
