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Dangote Refinery prays court to nullify NNPCL, others’ import licences
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has prayed a Federal High Court in Abuja to nullify import licences issued to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) and five other companies for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the other five companies are Aym Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.
Dangote Refinery, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024 and filed by Ogwu Onoja, SAN, before Justice Inyang Ekwo, had sued Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and NNPCL as 1st and 2nd defendants.
Also listed as 3rd to 7th defendants respectively in the originating summons dated Sept. 6 are Aym Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.
The company equally sought a N100 billion in damages against NMDPRA for allegedly continuing to issue import licences to NNPCL and the five companies for importing petroleum products.
These it said are Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet Fuel (aviation turbine fuel) into Nigeria, “despite the production of AGO and Jet-A1 that exceeds the current daily consumption of petroleum products in Nigeria by the Dangote Refinery.”
The plaintiff prayed the court to declare that NMDPRA is allegedly in violation of Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing licences for the importation of petroleum products.
It argued that such licences should only be issued in circumstances where there is a petroleum product shortfall.
It also urged the court to declare that NMDPRA is in violation of its statutory responsibilities under the PIA for not encouraging local refineries such as Dangote Refinery.
In an affidavit deposed by Ahmed Hashem, the Group General Manager of Government and Strategic Relations at Dangote Refinery, the officer averred that the import licences granted to other companies by NMDPRA for the importation of AGO and Jet-A1 are crippling the plaintiff’s business, to which it has committed substantial financial resources in billions of US dollars.
He said that the plaintiff’s products are largely left un-patronised due to the alleged actions of NMDPRA.
He stated that NMDPRA had threatened to impose and demand 0.5% levy on the plaintiff on wholesales and off-takers, as well as another 0.5% levy on wholesales to the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) via a letter dated June 10 contrary to statutory provisions that limit the implementation of levies on transactions within Free Zones.
He emphasised that the foundational purpose of establishing Free Zones is to foster competition, attract foreign investment and create tax havens.
Hashem further averred that there is an alleged grand conspiracy and concerted effort by International Oil Companies (IOC) and interests, in conjunction with the defendants, who are unhappy that Nigeria has an indigenous refinery ready to solve the lingering energy crisis and save the economy.
“The intervention of the honourable court has become necessary in order to stem the incessant violation of statutory provisions by the 1st defendant in favour of other entities such as the 2nd to 7th defendants,” he stated.
He said that the plaintiff is greatly distressed, and its investment’s risk being jeopardised unless the honourable court intervenes.
Dangote Refinery, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining the 1st defendant from further issuing and/or renewing import licences to the 2nd to 7th defendants or other companies for the purpose of importing petroleum products.
It sought “general damages in the sum of N100,000,000,000 against the 1st defendant (NMDPRA).”
It also sought an order of court directing the NMDPRA to seal off all tank farms, storage facilities, warehouses and stations used by the defendants for the storage of all refined petroleum products imported into Nigeria.
“A declaration that by the provisions of Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Act (NEPZA), Sections 23(h) and 55(1) of the Companies
“An order of injunction restraining the 1st defendant from imposing and demanding a 0.5% levy meant for off-takers of petroleum products directly and an additional 0.5% wholesale levy in favor of MDGIF or any other levy or sum against the plaintiff.
When the matter was called on Monday, George Ibrahim SAN, who appeared for Dangote Refinery, informed the court that the defendants had reached out to them for reconciliation
“My lord, there is a development in this matter, which the lead counsel, James Onoja, SAN, has asked me to bring to the court’s attention.
“At the time we were trying to serve the originating summons on the defendants, they started discussing,” he said.
Ibrahim, therefore, sought an adjournment to allow the parties to explore our-of-court settlement.
He suggested the court should adjourn for either a possible report of settlement or a report of service.
Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until Jan. 20, 2025 for report of settlement or service.(NAN)
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
A controversial list of political appointees purportedly originating from the Kaduna State Government has triggered outrage within Government House and among prominent politicians across the state’s 23 local government areas.
ELANZA NEWS gathered from credible government sources that the list, which has been widely circulated on social media, did not receive the knowledge or approval of Governor Uba Sani or any of the local council chairmen.
Insiders in the Kaduna State Government confirmed that the document did not emanate from any official or authorized channel.
The list, which includes names of alleged political appointees and their supposed sponsors—some of whom are well-known political figures—has raised serious concerns about internal sabotage and the deliberate spread of misinformation within the state’s political landscape.
“This list is not only fake; it was deliberately leaked to sow confusion, erode public trust, and discredit both the governor and the local council leadership,” a senior government official told ELANZA NEWS under the condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the matter.
Further investigations revealed the document was allegedly compiled nearly two months ago by unidentified individuals believed to be working against the current administration. Some individuals named in the list reportedly made financial contributions under the impression that the appointments were genuine.
“This fraudulent act is more than just mischief. It is a calculated attempt to deceive the public into believing these appointments have been officially endorsed,” another government source said.
“The government is thoroughly investigating the origin of the document, and those responsible will be held accountable under the law,” the source added.
Political analysts warn that the incident could prompt a review of the state’s appointment and vetting procedures to prevent future exploitation by political intermediaries.
Governor Uba Sani, who took office in 2023, has consistently championed transparency, meritocracy, and due process in governance. Observers say this incident presents a significant test to the administration’s integrity and internal unity.
As of press time, the state government had not issued an official statement, although sources indicate that a formal response is expected soon to clarify the situation.
Efforts to reach the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Musa, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls from our correspondent.
It has been a full week of listening to Politricktians struggling to defend the indefensible. I have watched some struggle to present purely self-seeking and egocentric predilections and decisions as altruistic and popular. The usual lie told when politicians decamp from one Party to another was rife in the news-wave. It was repeated every so often they were confronted with ‘why did you decamp to a Party you had mocked and described as soulless and directionless?”. And the lies would come streaming with shameless Olympic stupidity and shenanigans unbridled.
If your reason for moving from the PDP to the APC is to connect Delta State to the Centre ditto to Abuja, who Abuja elp? How has the Partisan affinity or connection with Abuja helped Lagos State? How has it benefitted Benue State? How has it made life better for the people in Bornu State? And how has the lot of the people in Imo State improved? The States here in reference are APC States, and are badly messed up.
Since 1999 Lagos State has never had it so bad, Lagos State for instance fared better when it wasn’t in partisan sync with the centre. No sane person can compare Tinubu’s term as Governor of Lagos State with Sanwo-Olu’s, none can compare Fashola’s, or Ambode’s one term, albeit as opposition Governors with the most lethargic and uneventful watch that Lagos State has produced in the last 26 years Sanwo-Olu’s connect with Abuja notwithstanding. Lagos is presently experiencing it’s worst leadership deficit and lethargy in 26 years, but Sanwo-Olu is not the trust of this piece, so I will let him be, but I shall return to substantiate my position, if his spin-doctors provoke me.
To the States of Bornu, Benue and Imo, the vouched partisan affinity with Abuja is a curse more than a blessing. Bornu and Benue are theatres of unmitigated security challenges. I won’t mention Jos, Plateau so Partisans wouldn’t challenge me that Plateau State is PDP. However, in today’s Nigeria most of the States troubled silly with insecurity are APC States. Human barbecues are dished with reckless abandon by the Haramists and Herders, and Abuja has done little to help, it has been more words and little action. All the people see, read and know is the blood soaked and blood stained mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Party. The APC has failed them like it has failed most Nigerians, so the people who decamped from the PDP to the APC in Delta State should stop telling stupid lies of how a contrived partisan sync with Abuja will benefit Delta State, that na big lie. The truth is that that decision of theirs is absolutely self-seeking, egotistic and individualistic, it was a shenanigans shameless and utterly soulless.
Is Imo an example of a State benefitting from her partisan sync with Abuja? I beg make I laugh small. And to make matters worse they call Governor Hope Uzodinma the Chairman of the Unprogressive, oh sorry, Progressive Governor’s Forum. That means that Hope Uzodinma is the Chairman of the Forum of APC Governors. I beg ask Ndi’Imo how market? Now Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is an APC Governor, and I hear that Pastor Eno of Akwa Ibom is joining soon. If no be craze, how will a Governor wey dey try small go go join Party wey the Governor wey no dey try at all, go be im Chairman? What in today’s Nigeria is testament to the laudable rule of the APC? And why is the APC attractive to the defectors streaming into the Party? I am committed to telling all I know, and more in the sequel to this piece, yes Part 3 dey come.
I am committed to making sure that each of this series is short and reader friendly. However, I will not conclude this without calling out Nigerians to consistently interrogate Public Office Holders and Political Operators, we must understand that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, and we must refuse to drink from the poisoned chalice of deceit, falsehood, and debauchery that self-serving Politricktians wield. And we must say no to their lies, half truths and mendacity.
Compatriots, those defending the egocentric and self-seeking defection of the Delta State Governor and his Team from the PDP to the APC are smart by half. And to those wondering whether we can effectively organize to stop the rudderless APC, the gail of defections notwithstanding, I bring great hope. Yes, there is enough time to perfect and pull through with the needed coalition to defeat the underperforming APC in 2027. Do not forget that Peter Obi didn’t have a State Governor when the Labour Party won the election in 2023. Tinubu didn’t win the majority of the total votes cast when INEC declared him winner, and having failed, as he continues to outperform Buhari in failure, the hail of defections will only deepen the Tinubu rejection.
Do not forget that Delta State was home to the Obidient Movement in 2023, and still is. Do not also forget that Okowa, Sheriff Oborevwori and the PDP machinery was roundly trounced and defeated by the Obidient Movement/Labour Party at the Presidential polls in Delta State in 2023, and that it took the Obidients rejecting Senator Ovie Omo-agege for Oborevwori to emerge Governor in 2023. May the Proud, the Arrogant and the Boastful use their tongue count their teeth, e no far again.
Delta State in 2027 offers a beautiful turf for the replay of the contest between the Peoples Power, and the Power of the men in power. Indeed, 2027 will be a Ballot Based People’s Revolution deeper and more effective than what happened in 2023. Take note that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC are consistently their own greatest undoing, not with Buhari’s colossal failure becoming Child’s play compared with Tinubu’s uneventful and Olympic failure.
Folks, we shall coalesce and unite to make Tinubu a One-Term President, that’s the least duty we owe Nigeria.
I shall return very soon with Part 3, but before then, please stay safe and protect yourselves, ‘no be me talk am, na one Oga DSS dem say na im talk am.’
God Bless Nigeria.
Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT. A Good Governance Advocacy Group.
Call Mgbeke Comedian
North Central Women on Friday criticized Prof Mgbeke, dismissing her recent remarks about the representative of Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as mad imaginings, deception and fantasy.
They also described the remarks of the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-South Organizing Secretary, Mr. Blessing Agbomhere, as banal and irrelevant.
“It is amazing that male politicians in Nigeria are resorting to dishonest tactics to fight women.”
The women in a statement in Abuja criticized the leadership of the Senate for placing Nigeria in a dilemma.
“The six-month suspension is raised in almost all the news media in the world.’’
They urged the senate leadership to save Nigeria from ignominy.
Specifically, the women praised Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for not allowing anyone to make her an emotional client in the country.
They also applauded her for playing a major role in the national history of Nigeria.
The statement issued by the Chairperson of North Central Women Front (NCWF), Mrs. Mary Adamu emphasized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s unflagging commitment to improvement of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The women scolded the spokesperson of Executive Watch Dog, Mr. Fidelis Ella for advertising his ignorance.
The women of repute and experience branded Dr Sandra Duru (Mgbeke), Ella and Agbomhere parrots and bootlickers of anti-democratic forces.
“Unstable people can destroy anybody for a political appointment, contract and petty cash.”
The women further dismissed allegations of malicious agenda, dirty game of propaganda and destruction.
They described the plot to dismantle Yoruba Government, destabilize the national structure and halt the country from moving forward as a foolish talk.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is guided by patriotic commitment.’’
The women urged sympathizers of the Senate President and a former ministerial nominee not to lead Nigeria to confusion.
The statement denounced intolerance, lies, perversion of truth and crazy ideas.