The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to reject a lawsuit brought by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals by three oil marketers: AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.
In response to an originating summons issued by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, the marketers contended in a joint counter affidavit dated November 5, 2024, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, that approving the refinery’s application would be disastrous for the nation’s oil industry.
They emphasized that the country will suffer greatly if the plan to monopolize the oil industry is implemented.
The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited were named as the first through seventh defendants, respectively, in the original summons issued by Dangote Refinery on September 6, 2024.
The refinery asked the court to rule that by granting licenses for the importation of petroleum products, NMDPRA had violated Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
It said that these licenses should only be granted when there is a shortage of petroleum products.
