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Dangote Refinery Denies Filing Case Against NNPCL, Others

Published

1 month ago

Oct 22, 2024.

Dangote Refinery has clarified reports regarding a court case filed against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and five other companies over the importation of petroleum products.

The five other companies involved are Aym Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Dangote Refinery filed the case (FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024) through Ogwu Onoja, SAN, before Justice Inyang Ekwo.

The lawsuit names the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and NNPCL as the first and second defendants, respectively.

The five companies are listed as the third to seventh defendants in the case, which was initiated on September 6, 2024.

The refinery is seeking ₦100 billion in damages from NMDPRA, accusing the authority of continuing to issue import licenses to NNPCL and the five companies for the importation of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet Fuel.

Dangote Refinery argues that its production of these fuels exceeds the current daily consumption in Nigeria, making further importation unnecessary.

The company contends that NMDPRA is in violation of Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by allowing these imports.

However, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, clarified that the matter is not new and originated in June 2024. He stated, “This issue started in June and led to the case being filed in September. Since then, we have made significant progress in discussions following President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the Crude Oil and Refined Products Sales in Naira Initiative, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”

Chiejina added that the parties are in active discussions and have agreed to suspend legal proceedings. “No party has been served with court papers, and there is no intention to proceed with the case. We expect to formally withdraw the matter in January 2025 when it is due to come up in court.”

Dangote NNPCL

He emphasized that no court orders have been made, and there are no negative effects on any party involved.