A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an attempt by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to block a lawsuit filed against it by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Dangote Refinery is challenging the legality of licenses issued by the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which allow NNPCL and other companies to import refined petroleum products, such as diesel (AGO) and aviation fuel (Jet A1), into Nigeria.
Dangote argues that since its refinery produces enough fuel, there is no need for imports.
The refinery is asking the court to:
Cancel the import licenses issued by NMDPRA.
Stop NMDPRA from issuing or renewing import licenses for other companies.
Award ₦100 billion in damages against NMDPRA for allowing imports.
Before the court could hear the case, NNPCL challenged its jurisdiction, arguing that:
1. The lawsuit was filed against “NNPC”, an entity that no longer exists (NNPC was restructured into NNPCL).
2. Dangote Refinery lacks the legal right to challenge the import licenses.
3. The case is premature and should be dismissed.
NNPCL asked the court to remove its name from the lawsuit.
On Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled against NNPCL, stating that its objections had no merit.
The court allowed Dangote Refinery to correct the name in its lawsuit, replacing “NNPC” with “NNPCL.”
The court also rejected a request by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to join the case, saying FCCPC is not a necessary party.
This ruling means the lawsuit will proceed, and the court will later decide whether to cancel the import licenses and award damages to Dangote Refinery.
