Dangote Refinery Denies Claims of New Lawsuit Against NNPCL

Dangote Refinery has denied starting a new lawsuit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other oil marketers. Reports had claimed that the refinery was challenging the import licenses given to these companies for refined petroleum products, which Dangote claims to produce sufficiently.

Anthony Chiejina, the refinery’s chief branding and communications officer, clarified in a statement on Monday, October 21, that this lawsuit was not new but had begun in June and became official in court on September 6, 2024. He mentioned that the refinery plans to withdraw the lawsuit by January 2025.

Chiejina explained that discussions among the parties had progressed following President Bola Tinubu’s directive, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council, to sell crude oil and refined products in the Nigerian currency, the Naira. These discussions have made the lawsuit unnecessary.

“No one has been officially notified of this lawsuit, and we don’t plan to notify anyone,” he added. The refinery intends to stop the legal process, as there are no court orders or negative impacts on any involved party.