Court Blocks NMDPRA from Shutting Dangote Refinery

On September 1, 2026, a Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko, granted an interim injunction against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). This injunction restrains NMDPRA from enforcing its directive that suspended the loading and truck-out of petroleum products from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery located in the Lekki Free Zone.

The court's decision followed an ex-parte application filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE in suit No. FHC/L/CS/1174/2026.

The court noted that NMDPRA's authority to regulate operations within free zones was questioned, referencing a letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation dated March 2, 2026, which stated that NMDPRA lacked such oversight powers. Justice Aluko emphasized the need for urgent judicial intervention to preserve the subject matter of litigation while the substantive issues are determined.