Dangote Refinery has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to nullify import licenses issued to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and several other companies, while also demanding N100 billion in damages.
In a recent statement, the company expressed its readiness to settle the matter amicably, describing the case as an “old issue” that began in June and culminated in a suit filed on September 6, 2024. The statement, signed by Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer Anthony Chiejina, emphasized that discussions are ongoing following President Bola Tinubu’s directive on crude oil and refined product sales in naira.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, questions the legality of the licenses granted to the defendants for importing refined petroleum products into Nigeria despite local production meeting daily consumption needs. Other defendants include the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), AYM Shafa Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.
Dangote Refinery is also seeking an injunction to prevent NMDPRA from issuing or renewing import licenses to the other defendants. The company argues that such licenses were issued despite existing production capabilities exceeding consumption, thereby breaching the Petroleum Industry Act.
In addition to the nullification, the refinery seeks various declarations regarding tax exemptions as a registered Free-Zone Enterprise and challenges additional financial obligations imposed by NMDPRA. The case is set against the backdrop of ongoing developments in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, with significant implications for both local refineries and the broader industry.