Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals don withdraw one N100 billion case wey dem file against Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) and other oil marketers. The case, which was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, sought to void import licenses issued to NNPC and six other companies for importing refined petroleum products like Automotive Gas Oil and Jet-A1 (aviation fuel).
Dangote Refinery claim say their production dey exceed domestic consumption levels, and therefore, imports no dey necessary. However, oil marketers disagree, saying the market dey deregulated and dealers free to import or buy from the refinery. The refinery alleged that these imports dey sabotage their operations by flooding the market with refined products dem already produce without shortfalls.
At a recent hearing, counsel for Dangote, George Ibrahim SAN, inform Justice Inyang Ekwo that the parties dey explore possible settlement. The judge set January 20, 2025, for a report on the settlement or service of the summons. Sources from Dangote refinery confirm say the case don be overtaken by recent developments and the company has already paused action on the matter.
The Group’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, disclose in a statement that the process to commence the formal withdrawal of the lawsuit will start next January. Chiejina also clarify say the case not new and originated from an issue that begin in June and culminate in a filing on September 6, 2024.
Despite the controversy, airline operators still confirm say dem dey purchase Jet A1 fuel from Dangote Refinery. This move show say there be some level of cooperation between the refinery and aviation sector, even as the legal issues dey resolved.
