NEWS
₦100bn Lawsuit: Oil Sector Legal Drama Ends As Dangote Withdraws Case
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has decided to discontinue its ₦100 billion legal action against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and five other major petroleum marketers.
The suit, which was pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja, was officially withdrawn after Dangote’s legal team filed a notice of discontinuance.
Though the court documents confirm the case has been dropped, they offer no explanation for the refinery’s change of course, nor is it clear whether an out-of-court resolution was reached.
READ MORE: Dangote Describes Tinubu as a Listening President, with Pro-Private Sector Policies
Among the parties previously dragged into the lawsuit were AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, and 2015 Petroleum Limited.
At the heart of the dispute was the allegation that the NMDPRA had been breaching the Petroleum Industry Act by issuing import licences to various marketers without proof of domestic supply shortfalls.
Dangote Refinery asked the court to declare this practice unlawful, arguing that “such licenses should only be issued when a petroleum product shortfall exists.”
The refinery further asserted that NMDPRA had failed in its regulatory duty by not promoting and supporting local refining capacity, claiming the agency “violates its statutory responsibilities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for not encouraging local refineries such as Dangote Refinery.”
In response, the defendants argued that the licensing process complied with legal provisions and was necessary to meet market demand.
They insisted that their operations were legitimate, highlighting that they were “fully qualified to receive an import licence from NMDPRA, under Section 317(9) of the PIA.”
The marketers also accused Dangote Refinery of attempting to corner the petroleum industry, stating that the company “seeks to monopolise the petroleum industry in Nigeria, where it alone would control supply, distribution, and pricing.”
Backing this claim, Idris Musa, a Senior Regulatory Officer at NMDPRA, stated in a counter-affidavit that Dangote’s refining output was insufficient to meet the country’s daily fuel demand.
“In line with Section 317(9) of the Petroleum Industry Act, NMDPRA issued import licences to companies with a track record of international products trading to bridge the supply gap,” he noted.
Musa further emphasized that the regulator’s mandate includes “promoting competition and preventing monopolies in the sector,” firmly denying any coordinated attempt to sabotage Dangote’s operations.
The legal back-and-forth also featured procedural complications.
In December 2024, Dangote Refinery moved to amend the suit to correct a naming error, replacing “Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited” with the correct entity, “Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.”
NNPCL responded with a preliminary objection, calling the suit “incompetent” due to the misidentification.
However, Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the objection on March 18, 2025, ruling that the error did not invalidate the suit.
He maintained that “the defendants should have responded to the substantive claims before raising procedural objections.”
NEWS
‘Celebrate This Poor Man’ – Shettima Defends Tinubu Over Economic Crisis
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to celebrate President Bola Tinubu, saying his leadership saved the country from a potential implosion.
Shettima said Nigeria’s economy had been teetering on the edge of collapse before Tinubu’s intervention, adding that the country could have faced a different situation.
“The economy was teetering on the edge of collapse, we were on a cliff edge,” the Vice President said.
ALSO READ: Subsidy Removal, FX Reforms Driving Fresh Oil Sector Investment – Shettima
“So he literally saved the nation from an implosion. That could have been the scenario. So, instead of demonizing him, Nigerians ought to celebrate this poor man.”
Shettima also called for a return to the drawing board, expressing confidence in the leadership’s commitment and the prospects for the 2027 elections.
“I believe on the bottom of my heart that with this presentation I have seen, and with the commitment of our leadership, by the grace of God, we are going to win,” he said.
Speaking about the 2027 elections, the Vice President reminded his audience that social media platforms should not be mistaken for actual polling stations.
“There are no polling stations on Facebook or Instagram,” he said.
Shettima also expressed gratitude for the efforts made towards promoting the cause of the 2027 elections.
NEWS
FG Withdraws Charges Against ‘Fake Agency’ DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi
Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).
Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.
READ ALSO: Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future
In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.
The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.
He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.
Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.
Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).
The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.
NEWS
Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future
To secure a bright energy for her teeming population, Nigeria must sustain the momentum of reform, accelerate investment, and deepen partnerships.
This view was expressed by Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SNEPCo) Ronald Adams in Lagos at the weekend.
Delivering a keynote address at the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) of the Lagos Business School (LBS), Adams called for regulatory certainty through efficient execution of reforms, sustained investment appeal to enable projects to move more swiftly from opportunity to production and partnership by operators, regulators, NNPC Limited and communities to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s resources.
Adams cited Nigeria’s huge oil and gas resources as an advantage but pointed out: “Resources alone do not guarantee prosperity. Prosperity comes when resources are matched with investment, technology, sound policy and disciplined execution. Success will be determined not by the size of our resources, but by our ability to convert them into investment and economic growth.”
Adams pledged the support of Shell towards a bright energy future of Nigerians. He said: “For more than six decades, Shell has been part of Nigeria’s energy journey. Together with our partners, we have helped develop major energy infrastructure, supported Nigerian businesses, invested in talent, and contributed to economic development. Bonga remains a powerful example of what technology, partnership and Nigerian capability can achieve in deepwater operations. Today, that story continues through Bonga North.”
READ ALSO: ADF Targets 5 Million Students, 2 Million Vulnerable Women
Issuing a clarion call for action by all stakeholders, he added: “The world is not standing still. Capital is moving, technology is advancing and competition is intensifying. The countries that attract investment tomorrow are those that improve competitiveness today. Nigeria has begun that journey. Our task is to sustain the momentum and translate reform into projects, projects into growth, and growth into shared prosperity.”
The conference, the 4th in the series had at its theme; “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future: Policy Reform, Capital Mobilisation, and Pathways to a Sustainable Power and Energy Market” and was attended by top government officials, industry captains, energy professionals, and students.
Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat represented Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the guest of honour. SNEPCo was a principal sponsor of the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) and mounted a well-received exhibition on its deepwater operations and social investments across Nigeria.





