Court dismisses Dangote refinery’s N100bn suit against NNPC, others

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the N100 billion suit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and its co-defendants over oil import licence dispute.

Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed the suit on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, following an oral application by the defence lawyers after counsel who appeared for Dangote, C.O. Adegbe, withdrew the suit.

The suit, which was formerly before Justice Inyang Ekwo, began afresh following its reassignment to Justice Umar.

Dangote refinery had sued NNPC Limited and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) as first and second defendants.

Also joined in the suit are AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited as third to seventh defendants, respectively.

The oil company, through its lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), had prayed the court to nullify import licences issued by NMDPRA to the NNPC Limited and the five other companies for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products.

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It equally sought a N100 billion in damages against NMDPRA for allegedly continuing to issue import licences to NNPC Limited and the five companies for importing petroleum products, among other reliefs.

Upon resumed hearing in the matter on Wednesday, Adegbe informed the court that though the matter was scheduled for hearing, the plaintiff (Dangote) had a notice of discontinuance dated and filed on July 28.

She said the refinery had resolved to withdraw the case and urged the court to strike it out.

Responding, I.B. Ahmad, who appeared for the NMDPRA, did not oppose Adegbe’s application.

Also, Chris Ekemezie, who represented other defendants, urged the court to dismissed the suit.

Justice Umar consequently dismissed the suit without any cost.

The Star