Court stops NMDPRA from shutting Dangote refinery

A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim injunction to prevent the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) from shutting down or interfering with the operations of Dangote Petroleum Refinery situated in the Lekki Free Zone. The decision was made following a motion ex parte filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery Nigeria Limited, represented by counsel led by Olawale Akoni and Abimbola Akeredolu.

The refinery had previously received a letter from the NMDPRA on August 24, 2026, directing the suspension of loading and truck-out of petroleum products. The company requested the court to restrain the regulatory agency and its agents from enforcing or implementing the directive until the matter could be heard and determined. Justice Akintayo Aluko considered the application, including a 42-paragraph affidavit, and ruled in favor of the refinery.

He noted that the NMDPRA lacked regulatory powers over operations within free zones, as stated in a letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation. The court emphasized the need to preserve the refinery's operations pending the determination of the substantive issues. The injunction will be in effect until further notice.