AGF says NMDPRA can’t oversee, shut down Dangote Refinery – FHC Judge

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) cannot oversee or shut down the Dangote Refinery. This decision was made following a motion filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, led by lawyers Olawale Akoni, SAN. The 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery had requested the court to intervene, seeking an order to prevent any actions by the NMDPRA related to the refinery's operations.

The judge considered a 42-paragraph affidavit, counsel's submissions, and various letters, including one from the Attorney-General of the Federation dated March 2, 2026, which stated that the NMDPRA does not have regulatory or oversight powers over operations within free trade zones. Aluko found that the plaintiff had met the requirements for an interim injunction and granted the motion, ordering the NMDPRA to refrain from interfering with the refinery and its related facilities.