July 11, 2025 | Abuja — Dangote Petroleum Refinery has once again rebuffed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) bid to join its ongoing lawsuit seeking N₦100 billion in damages against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and other marketers over alleged unlawful fuel import licences.
In a fresh ruling by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, the court dismissed FCCPC’s second attempt to be named a party in the case. Dangote’s legal team argued that the case centers on interpretation and enforcement of the Petroleum Industry Act—areas firming local refining supply—and that FCCPC has no legal mandate over fuel import licences. The court agreed, calling the FCCPC’s intervention request “unmeritorious”, and ruled that the agency’s involvement is not essential to resolve the dispute .
What Dangote sued for
Dangote Refinery filed a N₦100 billion suit claiming NMDPRA breached sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act by issuing import licences despite no domestic supply shortfall .
FCCPC’s concern
FCCPC argued the court action posed competition risks, fearing that limiting import licences could grant Dangote a monopoly. The agency sought involvement to protect competitive integrity .
Court’s standpoint
Justice Ekwo determined FCCPC lacks status as a necessary party since licence issuance falls under PIA rules, not under FCCPC’s regulatory scope. He emphasized that the suit can proceed and be adjudicated without FCCPC’s input .
