The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to strike out a suit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, seeking the withdrawal of its import license.
The NNPC argues that the suit is premature and lacks jurisdiction.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, was filed before Inyang Ekwo, the Presiding Judge, on November 15.
In a notice of preliminary objection filed by its lawyers, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, the NNPC stated, “The plaintiff’s suit is premature. The plaintiff’s suit discloses no cause of action. The 2nd defendant is not a competent party. The plaintiff’s suit is incompetent. This honorable court lacks the jurisdiction to hear this suit.”
The NNPC also claims that Dangote Refinery lacks the locus standi to institute the suit.
Additionally, the NNPC’s counsel, Isiaka Popoola, argued that the court lacks jurisdiction over the second defendant sued as NNPC, as it is a non-existent entity. A search on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) website shows that the registered name is Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, not Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited.
Three oil marketers, AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, have also prayed the court to dismiss the suit.
Dangote Refinery had sought to void import licenses issued to the NNPC, Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and four other companies, alleging that the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) violated Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
However, in a recent development, Dangote Refinery plans to withdraw the lawsuit in January 2025.
The court has fixed January 20, 2025, for a report of settlement or service.
