Dangote Refinery: N100bn Suit against NNPCL, others 'Old Story'

emmanuel MALAGU

Against wide spread notion that it has instituted fresh Case in Court against the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited and other Oil Marketers in the Country over Import Licenses, Dangote Refinery says the Report going round on the issue, was an old Story.

A Statement issued by the Spokesman of Dangote Group, Tony Chiejina, says the Lawsuit being referred to was filed on September 6, 2024.

Dangote Refinery demanded N100bn as Damages from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority(NMDPRA), accusing it of unlawfully issuing Import Licenses to NNPCL, Matrix Energy and others for Petroleum Products that the Oil Producing giant, said it has Capacity in excess of current Daily Consumption needed in the Country.

 The Statement clarifies that “Currently, the Parties are in discussion since 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.

“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.”

Dangote Refinery had sued NNPCL and five other Companies over Importation of Petroleum Products.

The Companies include Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, Aym Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited and 2015 Petroleum Limited.

Dangote Refinery, had in the Suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, filed by Ogwu Onoja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, before Justice Inyang Ekwo, joined the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and NNPCL as 1st and 2nd Defendants.

Find as added below, the Statement By Dangote Refinery.

No Fresh Case filed against NNPCL, others

“This is an old issue that started in June and culminated in a matter being filed on September 6, 2024

“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.

“No party has been served with court processes and there is no intention of doing so. 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.”