Dangote Refinery has resumed its legal battle to block the import of refined petroleum products into Nigeria, with a lawsuit against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), and other marketers. The case, which was adjourned to January 30, 2024, due to delays in serving the amended summons on the defendants, seeks to nullify import licenses issued for refined petroleum products.

The refinery, owned by billionaire Aliko Dangote, claims that NMDPRA violated the Petroleum Industry Act by granting these licenses despite Dangote's production exceeding Nigeria's daily consumption. The company is demanding N100 billion in damages for alleged favoritism and a court order to prevent further license issuance to the defendants.

The legal battle began last year when Dangote urged the NNPC and oil marketers to utilize his company's stored petroleum products, noting that he holds one billion liters in storage at a cost. He expressed frustration over continued imports, encouraging the NNPC and marketers to collect products from his refinery instead of purchasing from abroad.

However, the NNPC denied claims that it had stopped importing refined petroleum and was now sourcing fuel from Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other domestic refineries. The state-owned company stated that it would continue to source products from abroad when necessary.

The controversy surrounding the case intensified when Dangote's team announced that the court case had been "overtaken by events" due to talks with the parties involved. However, the refinery's inability to withdraw the court case as initially planned has further prolonged the matter, delaying potential resolutions and creating uncertainty for stakeholders involved.

In response to the lawsuit, NNPCL sought to have the case struck out, calling it incompetent. Oil marketers AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited argued that granting Dangote's application would harm Nigeria's oil sector. They claimed that Dangote Refinery hasn't produced enough petroleum to meet the country's daily needs and warned against monopolizing the sector.

Idris Musa, a Senior Regulatory Officer at NMDPRA, also urged the court to dismiss Dangote's suit, calling it misconceived and unmeritorious. Musa argued that Dangote Refinery's production doesn't meet national daily petroleum product requirements and that NMDPRA issued import licenses to address product shortfalls, prioritizing companies with strong international trading records.

The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for Nigeria's oil industry, with potential consequences for domestic production, imports, and the economy as a whole. As the case resumes in January 2025, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the court rules on Dangote Refinery's bid to block refined petroleum imports.