The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a suit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE to January 30, 2025.
The refinery is challenging the issuance of oil import licences by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to certain companies.
The case, which was set for hearing, could not proceed as Dangote Refinery had not served its amended originating summons on all defendants.
The suit lists NMDPRA and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) as the first and second defendants. Other defendants include AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.
Dangote Refinery is asking the court to invalidate licences granted to NNPCL and the other companies for importing refined petroleum products. The refinery claims that NMDPRA violated Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which only allow such licences to be issued during product shortages.
The refinery also seeks ₦100 billion in damages from NMDPRA for allegedly continuing to issue these licences.
Counsel to Dangote Refinery, George Ibrahim, informed the court that delays in serving the amended summons were due to errors in the original filing. He added that discussions for reconciliation were also stalled because of these amendments.
Lawyers for the defendants argued they had not received the amended application in time. Ademola Abimbola, representing NNPCL, confirmed receiving the application only hours before the court session.
NMDPRA, in its counter-affidavit, asked the court to dismiss the case. Idris Musa, a senior regulatory officer at NMDPRA, argued that the refinery’s current production levels do not meet national demand. He added that licences were issued to ensure sufficient supply and to promote competition in the oil sector.
Musa also denied Dangote’s allegations of a conspiracy against the refinery, stating, “The plaintiff has provided no facts or evidence to support these claims.”
NNPCL, in its preliminary objection, called for the case to be struck out for lack of merit.
Meanwhile, the three oil marketers—AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited—warned that granting Dangote’s application could destabilize the oil sector. They claimed the refinery has not produced enough products to meet Nigeria’s daily needs, making imports necessary.
Justice Inyang Ekwo directed all parties to resolve the service of the amended summons and adjourned the case to January 30, 2025, for hearing.
