By Ayooluwa Ayobami
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has refuted claims of initiating a new lawsuit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
Reports suggested that the refinery sought to nullify import licenses granted to the NNPC and other oil marketers for refined petroleum products, which the company already produces adequately.
In a statement on Monday, Anthony Chiejina, the group’s chief branding and communications officer, clarified that the reported lawsuit has been ongoing since June, with plans for Dangote to withdraw it in January 2025.
“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 the President Bola Tinubu’s directive on Crude Oil and Refined products sales in Naira Initiative, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”
Dangote Refinery stated that it has made significant progress in that area and that recent events have rendered the situation outdated.
The statement continued: “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.”