The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of a lawsuit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE against Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and others concerning oil import licences. The hearing, initially scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed due to the presiding judge Justice Mohammed Umar’s absence, as he was sitting in the Enugu division of the court.
The suit, formerly before Justice Inyang Ekwo and now reassigned to Justice Umar, involves Dangote Refinery challenging licences issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to NNPCL and five other oil marketing companies. Dangote claims these licences violate the Petroleum Industry Act and sought to nullify them, demanding ₦100 billion in damages.
NNPCL has questioned the court’s jurisdiction, arguing the case is premature and based on a non-existent entity called “Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).” NMDPRA defends its licensing, citing Dangote’s production capacity shortfall and the need to promote competition and prevent monopolies.
The court had previously dismissed objections by NNPCL and rejected an attempt by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to join the suit as an unnecessary party.
The next hearing is now set for November 5.
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