Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 18 March for ruling on a preliminary objection filed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) against a lawsuit brought by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE over an oil import licence dispute.

Justice Ekwo set the date after hearing arguments from counsel representing both parties—Ademola Abimbola, SAN, representing NNPCL, and John Ibrahim, SAN, representing Dangote Refinery.

At the resumed hearing, Abimbola informed the court that the session was scheduled for arguments on NNPCL’s preliminary objection and confirmed readiness to proceed.

Ibrahim, representing Dangote Refinery, noted that they had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the objection and were prepared to present their case.

Moving the application, Abimbola argued that the notice of preliminary objection, dated 15 November 2024, sought an order to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction or, alternatively, to remove NNPCL from the suit. He stated that an affidavit and a written address had been submitted in support of the application.

He further disclosed that upon receiving the refinery’s counter-affidavit, NNPCL filed a further affidavit on 3 February alongside a reply on points of law. He urged the court to either dismiss the case or remove NNPCL as a party.

In response, Ibrahim confirmed that Dangote Refinery had filed a five-paragraph counter-affidavit on 31 January, accompanied by a written address. He adopted these submissions and urged the court to reject NNPCL’s objection as unnecessary.

After listening to the submissions from both parties, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until 18 March for ruling.