Justice Inyang Ekwo of the High Court in Abuja, has set March 18 for ruling on the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)’s preliminary objection against a suit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE over an oil import licence dispute.
The judge fixed the date after counsel for the NNPCL, Ademola Abimbola, SAN, and lawyer for Dangote Refinery, John Ibrahim, SAN, presented their arguments and adopted their submissions.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Abimbola informed the court that the session was scheduled for the hearing of their objection and stated they were ready to proceed.
Ibrahim confirmed they had filed a counter affidavit opposing the objection and were prepared to move their application.
Abimbola argued that their notice of preliminary objection, filed on November 15, 2024, sought to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction or, alternatively, remove the NNPCL from the case.
He submitted an affidavit and a written address in support of the application, adding that they had filed a further affidavit and a legal reply on February 3 in response to the refinery’s counter affidavit.
He urged the court to strike out the suit or remove the NNPCL from it.
In response, Ibrahim stated they had filed a five-paragraph counter affidavit on January 31, along with a written address, and urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection as unnecessary.
After hearing both parties, Justice Ekwo adjourned the case to 18 March for ruling.