NNPCL Seeks Dismissal of Dangote Refinery's Lawsuit Over Import Licence

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has filed a request with a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit initiated by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE. The suit, marked as FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, was described by NNPCL as "incompetent."

The legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, argued that the court lacked jurisdiction over the case, asserting that the plaintiff's suit was premature and disclosed no cause of action.

They further contended that the NNPCL, as named in the suit, was not a competent party or a juristic person, emphasizing that the registered name is Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, which is the only name under which it can be sued.

The lawsuit, originally filed by Dangote Refinery on September 6, 2024, sought to annul import licenses issued by the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to NNPCL and five other companies, including AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.

Dangote claimed these licenses were unnecessary due to its refinery's capacity to meet the nation's daily consumption needs for products like Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet-A1 fuel.

In response, NNPCL's legal representatives highlighted that the entity sued by Dangote, referred to as "Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC)," does not exist according to a search on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) website. This discrepancy formed part of their argument for the suit's dismissal.

Additionally, three oil marketers—AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited—filed a joint counter affidavit, warning that granting Dangote's application could have detrimental effects on the country's oil sector, suggesting that the move aimed to monopolize the industry.

Justice Inyang Ekwo has scheduled January 20, 2025, for a report on settlement or service, indicating ongoing discussions between the parties involved. Meanwhile, the Dangote Group has labeled the lawsuit as an "old issue," with plans to withdraw the case by January 2025, following directives from President Bola Tinubu regarding crude oil and refined product sales in the Naira.