Court Orders NMDPRA to Issue Fuel Import Licenses

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, ruled that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) must continue granting petroleum products import licenses to Matrix Energy, A.A. Rano, and AYM Shafa Limited.

This judgment arose from a suit filed by the three oil marketers against NMDPRA, which had previously refused to issue or renew their import licenses. Justice Ekwo found that this refusal did not comply with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

The court emphasized that regulatory decisions must adhere to legal limits and declared that any actions by NMDPRA regarding import licenses that do not comply with the PIA are null and void. The ruling mandates that the companies are entitled to the issuance, extension, or renewal of import licenses, provided they meet the necessary regulatory requirements.

The judgment also highlighted NMDPRA's responsibilities to promote competition and prevent market abuse in the petroleum sector.