A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) objection to a ₦100 billion import license lawsuit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.

Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that NNPCL failed to submit a counter-affidavit against Dangote Refinery’s claims and instead filed a “procedurally incompetent” preliminary objection. He stated that jurisdictional issues could be addressed during the final judgment.

The judge also approved Dangote Refinery’s request to amend its suit, including properly citing NNPCL’s name, stating that the changes would not cause any injustice.