A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the hearing of a lawsuit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE against the issuance of oil import licences to several petroleum marketing firms. The case, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, has now been adjourned to January 30.
The delay occurred because Dangote Refinery had not yet served the amended originating summons to the defendants. The lawsuit names the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited as the primary defendants, along with several oil marketers, including AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.
Dangote Refinery is urging the court to revoke the import licences granted to these companies, arguing that NMDPRA violated provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which restricts such permits unless there is a proven shortfall in domestic supply.
Legal Arguments and Counterclaims
During the proceedings, Dangote Refinery’s legal representative, George Ibrahim, explained that delays in serving the revised court papers were due to a motion filed to address certain errors in the original documents.
On the other hand, lawyers representing NMDPRA, NNPC, and the oil marketing firms confirmed that they had yet to receive the updated legal documents, with some noting they were only served shortly before the court session.
In response to the lawsuit, NMDPRA refuted Dangote’s claims, insisting that the refinery’s production capacity is currently insufficient to meet Nigeria’s fuel demand. The agency maintained that issuing import licences to other firms is essential to avoid fuel shortages and promote a competitive market.
Similarly, the NNPC filed an objection, challenging the competence of the lawsuit and requesting its dismissal. Meanwhile, the oil marketing companies jointly argued that granting Dangote’s request could disrupt the nation’s oil supply chain and create an unfair monopoly, given the refinery’s inability to meet domestic demand.
Dangote Refinery is also seeking N100 billion in damages from NMDPRA for allegedly issuing the licences in violation of industry regulations.
The court is expected to reconvene on January 30 to hear arguments from all parties involved.
