- The Federal High Court in Abuja will hear Dangote Petroleum’s ₦100 billion lawsuit against oil marketers on January 30, 202412
- Dangote seeks to nullify petrol import licenses issued by NMDPRA, claiming violations of the Petroleum Industry Act14
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled January 30 to hear Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE’s ₦100 billion lawsuit. The company seeks to nullify all petrol import licenses issued to certain oil marketing firms.
Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case to allow the proper service of court documents to all involved parties.
At Monday’s hearing, George Ibrahim, representing Dangote Petroleum, said the case was initially slated for settlement discussions or updates on service of documents.
However, he noted delays in serving legal papers and resolving reconciliation issues. The plaintiff had also filed a motion to amend their originating summons due to errors in the initial application.
Lawyers for the defendants, including Matthew Bukar (NMDPRA), Ahmed Raji (AYM Shafa, A.A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Limited), and Divine Oguru (T. Time Petroleum and 2015 Petroleum Limited), confirmed they had not received the documents.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, names the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), A.Y.M. Shafa Holdings, A.A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services as defendants. It also includes a demand for ₦100 billion in damages.
Among the key requests in the suit, Dangote Petroleum seeks a declaration affirming its tax exemption under laws such as the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Act, the Companies Income Tax Act, and the Dangote Industries Free Zone Regulation 2020.
The company argues its status as a Free-Zone Enterprise exempts it from all federal, state, and local government taxes, levies, and charges.
The court is expected to address these matters at the next hearing.
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