Dangote Refinery has decided to withdraw its court case against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and five other companies involved in the importation of petroleum products. This clarification comes after some confusion about the ongoing legal situation.

The lawsuit also names Aym Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited. It was filed on September 6, 2024, by lawyer Ogwu Onoja, SAN, and includes the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) as a defendant.

Dangote Refinery had sought 100 billion Naira in damages, arguing that NMDPRA was incorrectly issuing import licenses to NNPCL and the other companies for products such as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet Fuel. The refinery claimed that it produces enough of these fuels to meet Nigeria’s needs.

Anthony Chiejina, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer for Dangote Group, emphasized that this lawsuit is not a new issue, as discussions have been ongoing since June. The situation has been influenced by President Bola Tinubu’s directive on crude oil and refined product sales, which has led to significant progress in negotiations.

Chiejina confirmed that no court actions will be taken at this time and that all parties have agreed to pause the lawsuit while discussions continue.