The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, has set March 18 for a ruling on the preliminary objection raised by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in the ongoing legal dispute with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE over an oil import licence.
The decision follows arguments presented by the counsels representing both parties. Ademola Abimbola, SAN, who appeared for NNPCL, and John Ibrahim, SAN, for Dangote Refinery, adopted their legal processes for and against the suit during the court session.
Justice Ekwo had initially scheduled Wednesday for the hearing of the NNPCL’s objection after Ibrahim informed the court that they had not yet filed their response to the application.
At the resumed hearing, Abimbola confirmed that the matter was set for the hearing of the objection and expressed readiness to proceed. Ibrahim, on the other hand, stated that they had already filed their counter affidavit in opposition to the objection and were also prepared to move their application.
Abimbola, while presenting his application, explained that NNPCL’s notice of preliminary objection, filed on November 15, 2024, sought an order either dismissing the entire suit due to lack of jurisdiction or, in the alternative, striking the NNPCL’s name from the proceedings. He also noted that supporting documents, including an affidavit and written address, had been submitted, and after receiving the refinery’s counter affidavit, NNPCL filed a further affidavit and a reply on points of law on February 3.
In response, Ibrahim filed a five-paragraph counter affidavit, dated January 31, along with a written address, and urged the court to dismiss NNPCL’s objection, calling it unnecessary.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to March 18 for a ruling.
