The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) request to join the lawsuit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and oil marketers over refined petroleum imports.
Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that FCCPC was not a necessary party to the case. Dangote Refinery is seeking to nullify import licenses issued by the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to NNPCL and five other firms, arguing that it can meet local fuel demands.
NNPCL challenged the suit, citing jurisdictional issues and misnaming, but the court dismissed its objections. Justice Ekwo allowed Dangote Refinery to amend the suit to reflect NNPCL’s proper name and adjourned the case to March 6 for further proceedings.
