Dangote Refinery Drops N100bn Suit Against NNPCL, Others

Dangote Refinery's U-Turn on N100bn Lawsuit Against NNPCL

“We have agreed to put a halt to the proceedings...”

NNPCL, Others in the Clear: Dangote Refinery Drops Lawsuit Over Fuel Imports

Dangote Refinery has clarified reports that it's taking the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and others to court over fuel importation. According to Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, the issue began in June and led to a court filing on September 6, 2024. However, Chiejina emphasized that this is an old matter that has been overtaken by events, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive on crude oil and refined products sales in Naira initiative.

The company had sought a N100 billion in damages against the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for allegedly issuing import licenses to NNPCL and five other companies, despite Dangote Refinery's production exceeding Nigeria's daily consumption. The defendants include Aym Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.

Chiejina reassured that no court processes have been served, and there's no intention to do so, as parties are in discussion. The matter is scheduled for January 2025, and Dangote Refinery plans to formally withdraw the case then. This development highlights the company's commitment to resolving issues amicably, particularly in light of President Tinubu's initiative.

“Currently, the parties are in discussion since the President Bola Tinubu's directive on Crude Oil and Refined products sales in Naira Initiative, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

“We have made tremendous progress in that regard and events have overtaken this development,” the statement said.

Dangote Refinery has clarified its stance on the court case involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and five other companies. Essentially, the refinery states that it hasn't served any court processes to the parties involved and doesn't plan to do so. However, when the case comes up in January 2025, Dangote Refinery is prepared to formally withdraw the lawsuit.

This development comes after the refinery initially sought N100 billion in damages against the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for issuing import licenses to NNPCL and other companies, despite Dangote Refinery's production exceeding Nigeria's daily consumption. The dispute began in June, culminating in a court filing on September 6, 2024. With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive on crude oil and refined products sales in Naira initiative, events have overtaken the development, leading to Dangote Refinery's decision to withdraw the case.

“We have agreed to put a halt to the proceedings.

“It is important to stress that no orders have been made and there are no adverse effects on any party. We understand that once the matter comes up January 2025, we would be in a position to formally withdraw the matter in court.”