Our reporter/ The Dangote Group on Monday night said it will withdraw its ₦100bn suit against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for granting import licenses to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, AA Rano Limited, and four other companies despite local production of petroleum products.
According to a statement by its spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 6, 2024, was “an old issue” that has been overtaken by events.
Chiejina further stated that the parties involved in the suit have commenced conciliatory talks as the refinery does not have any intention of proceeding with the suit.
“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.
In its originating summons, Dangote Refinery argued that the NMDPRA violated sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing import licenses under circumstances where no product shortfall exists.
The refinery had contended that such licenses should only be granted when there is a demonstrated need for imported products.
The group had stated that the import licenses issued to other companies are detrimental to its business, which has invested billions of dollars into production. The company had claimed that these actions have resulted in a lack of patronage for Dangote’s products.
The refinery sought an injunction to prevent the NMDPRA from issuing or renewing import licenses for the defendants.
The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, on Monday, adjourned the case to January 20, 2025, for the report.
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