The Dangote Group has characterized the lawsuit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and other oil companies as an “old issue.”
The group communications officer of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, stated that the proceedings are currently on hold, with intentions to withdraw completely by January 2025.
He clarified that the case originated in June and resulted in a filing on September 6, 2024, underscoring that it is not a recent development.
Chiejina further assured that when the case is revisited in January 2025, the Dangote Group will be ready to formally withdraw it from the court.
The statement, titled “NO FRESH CASE FILED AGAINST NNPCL, OTHERS,” issued by Chiejina, read, “This is an old issue that started in June and culminated in a matter being filed on September 6, 2024.
“Currently, the parties are in discussion since President Bola Tinubu’s directive on Crude Oil and Refined products sales in the Naira Initiative, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“We have made tremendous progress in that regard and events have overtaken this development.
“No party has been served with court processes and there is no intention of doing so. We have agreed to put a halt to the proceedings.
“It is important to stress that no orders have been made and there are no adverse effects on any party.
“We understand that once the matter comes up January 2025, we would be in a position to formally withdraw the matter in court.”
It was earlier reported that Dangote Refinery filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to nullify import licenses granted to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and four other companies.
The licenses allow these firms to import refined petroleum products, which Dangote claims are already adequately supplied by its refinery, ensuring no shortfalls.
The defendants in the case include NMDPRA, NNPCL, Aym Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, listed as the 1st to 7th defendants.
However, the Dangote Group has reiterated that the lawsuit is an old issue, currently suspended, with plans for a formal withdrawal in court as soon as possible.
