Dangote Refinery sues to stop Nigeria petrol import licences in Lagos

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has filed a new lawsuit against the federal government, seeking to stop continued petrol import licences that it says undermine domestic production and violate an existing court directive. The refinery, valued at about $20 billion, approached the Federal High Court in Lagos with an application to nullify or set aside import permits recently issued or renewed by Nigeria’s midstream and downstream regulator, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

In the suit, Dangote names Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, as the respondent. The case challenges licences granted to fuel marketers, including NIPCO, AA Rano, Matrix, Shafa, Pinnacle and Bono, that cover imports of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly called petrol. Dangote argues that the regulator’s approvals breach provisions of Nigeria’s petroleum framework, which it says permits imports only when local supply cannot meet national demand. The refinery also contends that the licences were issued despite an earlier court order directing the parties to maintain the status quo while the underlying dispute is resolved.