Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    SweetCrudeReportsSweetCrudeReports
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • Oil
    • Gas
    • Power
    • Solid Minerals
    • Labour
    • Financing
    • Freight
    • Community Development
    • E-Editions
    SweetCrudeReportsSweetCrudeReports
    Home » Nigerian judge rejects bid by NNPC to halt Dangote refinery lawsuit

    Nigerian judge rejects bid by NNPC to halt Dangote refinery lawsuit

    March 18, 2025
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
    *Gavel-Court-justice.

    Abuja — A Nigerian judge on Tuesday dismissed state oil company NNPC Ltd’s objection to its inclusion in a lawsuit brought by Dangote Oil Refinery, which is seeking to halt imports of gasoline into the West African nation.

    The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery built by billionaire Aliko Dangote in Lagos has been touted as having the potential to secure energy independence for Nigeria, which, though a major oil producer, has long been forced to import refined products.

    The refinery’s lawsuit argues that sector regulator Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) is violating the law by continuing to issue gasoline import permits to NNPC and other fuel traders.

    It says in its suit, filed at Nigeria’s Federal High Court, that the law allows only imports in order to address production shortfalls. It is seeking 100 billion naira ($65 million) in damages from NMDPRA, NNPC and five smaller fuel marketers.

    The Dangote refinery, which began processing crude into diesel, naphtha and jet fuel in January last year and gasoline in September, says its output is sufficient to meet domestic demand.

    NNPC had objected to the suit that domestic consumption still outstrips the refinery’s production and gasoline imports remain necessary.

    It also said Dangote’s filing cited a non-existent company, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.

    The state oil firm officially changed its name to Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited in 2022 when it became a limited liability company.

    Judge Inyang Ekwo, however, dismissed those objections, adjourning the case until May 6 when he is expected to weigh NMDPRA and NNPC’s request that the suit be dismissed due to a lack of merit and their counter-argument that the refinery is seeking to create a monopoly.

    NNPC, NMDPRA and Dangote Oil Refinery declined to comment on the case.

    Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest gasoline markets and last year spent 15.42 trillion naira ($10 billion) on imports, according to the statistics bureau.

    The lawsuit is the latest row between Dangote, one of Africa’s richest individuals, and Nigerian regulatory authorities.

    The Dangote refinery has previously accused NMDPRA of allowing imports of substandard fuels and criticised the upstream regulator for not enforcing laws that mandate oil producers to prioritise crude to domestic refineries.

    Both regulators have denied the accusations.

    ($1 = 1,530.0000 naira)

    *Camillus Eboh, Isaac Anyaogu, editing: MacDonald Dzirutwe & Joe Bavier – Reuters

    Related News

    ‘Cross-border financial crimes draining billions from West, Central Africa’ 

    Tariff crisis stalls Nigeria’s gas-to-power expansion

    Customs seizes N3.6bn illegal export in Owerri 

    Comments are closed.

    E-book
    Resilience Exhibition

    Latest News

    ‘Cross-border financial crimes draining billions from West, Central Africa’ 

    June 29, 2025

    Tariff crisis stalls Nigeria’s gas-to-power expansion

    June 29, 2025

    Oyetola, NIMASA pledge zero tolerance for harassment at sea 

    June 29, 2025

    NCDMB commends Heritage Energy on NOGICD Act implementation, reiterates commitment to HCD

    June 29, 2025

    BPSR applauds NIMASA for championing public service reforms

    June 29, 2025
    Demo
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Opec Daily Basket
    • Oil
    • Power
    • Gas
    • Freight
    • Financing
    • Labour
    • Technology
    • Solid Mineral
    • Conferences/Seminars
    • Community Development
    • Nigerian Content Initiative
    • Niger-Delta Question
    • Insurance
    • Other News
    • Focus
    • Feedback
    • Hanging Out With Markson

    Subscribe for Updates

    Get the latest energy news from Sweetcrudereports.

    Please wait...
    Please enter all required fields Click to hide
    Correct invalid entries Click to hide
    © 2025 Sweetcrudereports.
    • About Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Privacy Policy

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.