NMDPRA Considers Legal Action After Court Ruling on Dangote

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is contemplating its next steps following a Federal High Court ruling that issued an interim injunction against the NMDPRA's attempts to shut down operations at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos. The ruling was made by Justice Akintayo Aluko on a motion ex parte filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery Nigeria Limited, represented by Olawale Akoni and Abimbola Akeredolu.

The court's decision stemmed from a letter dated August 24, 2026, in which the NMDPRA directed the suspension of loading and truck-out of petroleum products from the refinery. Justice Aluko noted that the NMDPRA lacked regulatory authority over operations within free trade zones, referencing a letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation dated March 2, 2026.

The NMDPRA's spokesman, George Ene-Ita, declined to comment on the ongoing case, while the agency's legal team is evaluating the situation for potential further action.