The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) objection to a ₦100 billion import licence lawsuit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.In his ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo stated that NNPCL failed to submit a counter-affidavit to refute Dangote Refinery’s claims and instead filed a preliminary objection, which he deemed procedurally improper. He emphasized that jurisdictional issues could be addressed during the final judgment.Justice Ekwo also faulted NNPCL for breaching Order 16 of the Federal High Court rules by submitting what he described as an “incompetent preliminary objection.”Additionally, the judge ruled in favor of Dangote Refinery’s request to amend its suit, including correcting the citation of NNPCL’s name, stating that the amendment would not cause any injustice to the company.The court also dismissed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) application to join the lawsuit. The FCCPC had sought to be added as a defendant, arguing that Dangote Refinery’s lawsuit revolved around anti-competition and monopoly in the petroleum sector, which fell within its regulatory mandate. The commission contended that any court ruling on the case would impact its duties.However, Dangote Refinery opposed the FCCPC’s joinder, describing the commission as an unwarranted interloper with no stake in a case governed by the Petroleum Industry Act.Justice Ekwo rejected the FCCPC’s application and adjourned the matter to May 6 for further mention
Court Rejects NNPCL’s Objection in ₦100bn Dangote Refinery Case
