Dangote refinery: NMDPRA mulls legal battle over access restriction
The Dangote refinery has secured a court injunction restraining the NMDPRA from interfering with its operations over a regulatory dispute in the Lekki Free Read More: https://punchng.com/dangote-refinery-nmdpra-mulls-legal-battle-over-access-restriction/
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is considering a potential legal battle over a restriction on access to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos. On August 24, 2026, the NMDPRA allegedly ordered the suspension of loading and trucking out of petroleum products from the refinery.
The refinery sought an interim injunction in a Federal High Court in Lagos, arguing that the NMDPRA lacked regulatory authority over operations within free zones, such as the Dangote Industrial Free Zone. The court granted the injunction, citing the NMDPRA's lack of regulatory powers over free zones and the fact that the refinery had fulfilled the conditions for the injunction.
The NMDPRA's spokesman declined to comment further on the case, while senior officials within the authority stated that they are weighing their next steps. The case will determine whether the NMDPRA has the authority to regulate operations within free zones, with the refinery and the NMDPRA preparing for the upcoming court hearing on September 9, 2026.
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