The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery seeking the withdrawal of its import licence. The NNPC, represented by its legal team led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, filed a notice of preliminary objection, arguing that the suit is premature and lacks jurisdiction.
The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, was filed on November 15 before Justice Inyang Ekwo. Dangote Refinery alleges that the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) violated sections of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing petroleum import licences to the NNPC and other companies, including Matrix Petroleum Services Limited and A. A. Rano Limited.
In its objection, the NNPC argued that Dangote Refinery lacks the legal standing to bring the case, stating that the refinery’s claims disclose no valid cause of action.
“The plaintiff’s suit is premature and incompetent. This honorable court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case,” the NNPC stated.
The NNPC also argued that the refinery erroneously sued a “non-existent entity,” identifying itself as “Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited” rather than the “Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC)” listed in the suit. In an affidavit supporting the application, counsel Isiaka Popoola stated that a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) search confirmed no such entity exists under the name used by the plaintiff.
The objection is not limited to the NNPC. Three oil marketers—AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited—have also petitioned the court to dismiss the lawsuit, calling it baseless.
Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery has indicated plans to withdraw the case in January 2025. The refinery filed the suit in June, initially seeking the nullification of import licences issued to the NNPC and six other companies, alleging non-compliance with the PIA.
The case underscores growing tensions in Nigeria’s energy sector, with implications for competition and regulatory practices. A court ruling on the preliminary objections is expected in the coming weeks.