In a surprising twist of events, the Dangote Group says 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.
The Dangote Group, in a statement late Monday, said the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 6, 2024, was “an old issue” and that events have overtaken the suit.
A spokesman for the group, Anthony Chiejina, said the parties involved in the suit have commenced conciliatory talks. He also said that 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.
“We understand that once the matter comes up in January 2025, 23 would be in a position to formally withdraw the matter in court,” Chiejina said.
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.
