The Dangote Group has announced its intention to withdraw a 100 billion Naira lawsuit against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA over the issuance of import licenses to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, AA Rano Limited, and four other firms, despite the local production of petroleum products.
Dangote Group, in a statement issued last night through its spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, said the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 6, 2024, was an old issue and events have overtaken the suit, stressing that the parties involved in the suit have commenced conciliatory talks.
He further maintained that the refinery does not have any intention of proceeding with the suit, noting that if the matter which was adjourned to January 20, 2025 by presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, comes up, Dangote would be in a position to formally withdraw the matter in court.
Dangote Refinery, had in its originating summons, stated that the NMDPRA violated sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA by issuing import licenses to other companies under circumstances where no product shortfall exists, stressing that import licenses issued to other companies are detrimental to its business, saying it has resulted in a lack of patronage for Dangote products.
